starting years ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starting years ago" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the beginning of an action or event that commenced several years in the past. Example: "The project has been evolving, starting years ago when the initial research was conducted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"David had been talking to me constantly about the L.A. Times, starting years ago," Lee said.

The New Yorker

Clearly, with the planning starting years ago, it's to be hoped other events might take advantage of the ability of startups to deliver great apps on top of this kind of data.

TechCrunch

This will be the school's last step in killing all vegetation on their property, starting years ago.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I already started years ago with my idea.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It should have been started years ago," the son says.

The Washington Post

It started years ago with raiding the waiters' tips.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I started years ago when I gave up smoking weed.

The Guardian - Music

She intended to start years ago, but she was late for the appointment.

The New Yorker

It turns out that a strategy I started years ago apparently can be effective.

The New York Times

"I believe that's a phrase that I started years ago on the BOB GRANT show.

The New York Times

Much of the energy for the new changes has been driven by projects started years ago by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "starting years ago" to clearly indicate that an action or process began in the past and has likely continued since then. This is especially useful when providing context or background information.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear how many years "years ago" refers to. If specificity is needed, consider stating the approximate number of years instead of just saying "years ago".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting years ago" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating when an action or event began. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It provides temporal context, specifying that something commenced in the past and, often, continues to the present.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "starting years ago" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating that an action or event began in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and effective way to provide temporal context. Its usage is frequent in news and media, academia, and science. For clarity, specify the timeframe if needed. Alternatives such as "began several years prior" or "initiated some years back" can be used depending on the context and desired formality. When writing, ensure that the surrounding text supports the implication of a continuing process, if that's the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Began several years prior

Replaces "starting" with "began" and uses "prior" instead of "ago" to convey the past timeframe.

Initiated some years back

Substitutes "starting" with "initiated" and uses "back" instead of "ago" for a slightly less formal tone.

Commenced in previous years

Uses "commenced" as a more formal alternative to "starting" and rephrases "years ago".

Established in earlier years

Replaces "starting" with "established", implying a more formal or organized beginning.

Originated years in the past

Uses "originated" to emphasize the origin or source of something, maintaining the past timeframe.

Developed in preceding years

Emphasizes the development aspect over a period of time.

Emerged in earlier times

Highlights the emergence or appearance of something, rather than the starting action.

Has roots in past years

Focuses on the foundational aspects and origins of the topic.

Dates back several years

Implies that something can be traced back to the past.

Evolved over the course of years

Emphasizes the evolutionary aspect of the topic through time.

FAQs

How can I use "starting years ago" in a sentence?

You can use "starting years ago" to indicate that a process, trend, or project began in the past and has continued since then. For example, "The company's sustainability initiatives have been evolving, "starting years ago" with small recycling programs." The timeframe implied should be evident from the context.

What phrases are similar to "starting years ago"?

Similar phrases include "began several years prior", "initiated some years back", or "commenced in previous years". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "starting years ago" or provide a specific year?

It depends on the situation. If you need to be precise, providing a specific year is better. If you're providing general background or the exact year isn't crucial, ""starting years ago"" can be sufficient.

Can "starting years ago" imply a continuing process?

Yes, ""starting years ago"" generally suggests that the action or process is still ongoing. If the action has ceased, it would be more appropriate to use a phrase like "began years ago" or "was initiated years ago".