started off well

USAGE SUMMARY

"started off well" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the beginning of something that is viewed as successful or promising. For example, "The meeting started off well, with everyone in agreement about the objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We started off well, had 70% possession but are not taking chances.

BBC

We started off well, it was just a shame that we got broke.

BBC

"We started off well against Derbyshire, have had a couple of draws, but have put ourselves into positions where we can win".

BBC

Everything started off well.

The New York Times

"It started off well in Spain.

Independent

Things started off well enough for Tebow.

The New Yorker

The champion started off well.

The Guardian - Sport

The finale, a rousing rondo, started off well.

The New York Times - Arts

The year 1661 started off well for Nicolas Foucquet.

The Guardian - Travel

On Saturday, he started off well enough, completing 7 of 11 passes with a touchdown.

The New York Times - Sports

It started off well, but has lurched from pillar to post with its weaknesses and inconsistencies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started off well" to describe the initial phase of an event, project, or relationship when the beginning shows promise or success. This sets a positive tone and implies potential for future achievements.

Common error

Avoid using "started off well" when describing situations where the initial success was not maintained. Instead, use it to emphasize a promising beginning that may or may not continue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started off well" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action began. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and commonly used expression in English. It often indicates a positive or promising initiation of an event, project, or relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "started off well" is a common and correct English expression used to describe a positive and promising beginning. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to convey optimism and potential in initial stages. While generally appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, it's crucial to ensure the situation genuinely reflects a promising start and not a misleading initial success. Alternatives like "got off to a good start" or "had a promising start" offer similar meanings with slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got off to a good start

A common alternative that focuses on the quality of the commencement.

had a promising start

Highlights the potential for future success based on the initial phase.

originated promisingly

Focuses on a future success based on the initial phase.

began auspiciously

Emphasizes the favorable or promising nature of the beginning.

developed favorably

Suggests that something is taking place for the better.

initiated favorably

Stresses that the action was set up under good favor.

opened strongly

Highlights the power and impact of the initial action.

commenced successfully

Focuses on the achievement aspect of the initial phase.

launched effectively

Emphasizes the efficiency and impact of the initial action.

kicked off positively

Implies an energetic and upbeat beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "started off well" in a sentence?

You can use "started off well" to describe the beginning of a project, event, or relationship. For example, "The project "started off well", with all milestones met on time."

What are some alternatives to "started off well"?

You can use alternatives like "got off to a good start", "began auspiciously", or "had a promising start" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "started off well" in formal writing?

Yes, "started off well" is generally appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, you might consider using a more sophisticated synonym like "commenced successfully".

What's the difference between "started off well" and "ended well"?

"Started off well" describes the beginning of something, while "ended well" describes the conclusion. Something that "started off well" may not necessarily "ended well", and vice versa.