that started in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that started in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the beginning of an event, trend, or period that commenced at a specific time or place. Example: "The project that started in 2020 has finally reached its completion stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Consider the freeze that started in August of 2007.

The New Yorker

A war that started in 1991.

The New York Times - Magazine

Zkipster is a guest list app that started in Switzerland.

The Guardian

This has led to many students continuing their development of a work that started in class.

University of California, Berkeley

They're a lot like the thoughts that started in my head.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

United Nations speakers and guides discussed the original eight Millennium Development Goals that started in 2000.

Cornell University

The PRG system is being adopted through an incremental reform that started in 2002 and was accelerated in 2010.

Health Policy

I think it had something to do with the housing bubble that started in the '90s.

Independent

The idea that started in little Valsgard is now gaining traction internationally.

The New York Times

Stock prices have eased, but only after a strong rally that started in February.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's a Jet Propulsion Lab tradition that started in the '60s with the Ranger missions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "that started in" within the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "that began in" or "which originated in".

Common error

Avoid using "that started in" without a clear and specific timeframe. Saying something "that started in the past" is vague and unhelpful. Instead, provide a precise year, month, or period to offer clarity and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that started in" functions as a relative clause, specifically an adjectival clause. It modifies a noun by providing additional information about when something began. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that started in" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to specify the beginning of an event, project, or trend. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for various contexts, it's most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic writing. To enhance clarity, always provide a specific timeframe when using this phrase. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "which commenced in" or "whose inception was in". This ensures your writing is both precise and stylistically appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which originated in

Replaces 'that started' with 'which originated', emphasizing the point of origin.

that commenced in

Uses 'commenced' instead of 'started', suggesting a more formal beginning.

which was initiated in

Employs 'initiated' and 'was' to rephrase the start as a passive action.

that had its beginning in

Replaces 'started' with 'had its beginning', providing a more descriptive phrase.

the origin of which was in

Changes the structure to emphasize 'origin', making it slightly more formal.

that traces its roots to

Introduces the concept of 'roots' to signify origin, useful for historical contexts.

that dates back to

Specifically uses 'dates back to' to indicate a historical starting point.

that sprang from

Figuratively uses 'sprang from' to express the idea of something emerging from a source.

whose inception was in

Replaces 'started' with the more formal term 'inception'.

that was launched in

Uses 'launched' to suggest a more deliberate or planned beginning.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that started in" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "which commenced in" or "whose inception was in". These options often suit academic or professional writing better.

Is there a difference between "that started in" and "that began in"?

While both phrases are similar, "that began in" might be perceived as slightly more general. "That started in" can sometimes imply a more specific initiation point, though the difference is often negligible.

When should I use "that originated in" instead of "that started in"?

"That originated in" is best used when emphasizing the geographical or cultural origin of something. It highlights the place or source from which something emerged, while "that started in" simply denotes a point in time.

Can "that started in" be used to describe abstract concepts, or only concrete events?

"That started in" can apply to both abstract concepts and concrete events. For example, you can refer to "a trend that started in 2020" (abstract) or "a project that started in June" (concrete).