the competition has started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the competition has started" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a competitive event or contest has begun. Example: "After weeks of preparation, the competition has started, and all participants are eager to showcase their skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The competition has started a buzz of sorts: some members are linking up friends and acquaintances under one ID to wring out the most power.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Meanwhile X Factor began the boot camp stage of the competition, having started almost a month ago.

Independent

The competition had started that morning at 7 with a 2.4-mile open water swim in the Hudson River, and ended with a 26.2-mile run that originated in New Jersey and crossed the George Washington Bridge before concluding in Riverside Park on the Upper West Side, near 85th Street.

The New York Times

The South African-born player said: "The competition had started and they'd gone with their squad.

BBC

Together with a steep fall in the oil price, competition has started to push prices down a little.

The Economist

As such Europe's consolation prize competition has started to look little more than a respectfully endured formality en route to the real endgame of Stramaccioni's tenure.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile, Sparc-a worldwide alliance of research institutions, libraries and organizations encouraging competition–has started publishing rival journals.

Forbes

Nicola Darke, director of customer success at Wazoku, explains why Iona White should win the Rising Star category of the Guardian Small Business Showcase competition: Having started as a graduate and now two years into her first job, Iona White has been promoted to a senior member of the business as customer success manager.

The Guardian

The running backs, addicted to competition, have started a friendly pool in which anyone who commits a fumble or drops a pass during practice is fined a couple of dollars.

The New York Times - Sports

Even automobile prices — historically held down by tough competition — have started to rise.

The New York Times

And now the competition watchdog has started investigating curious similarities in the levels of fees they charge.But the government hoped to do down the private schools mainly by improving state schools.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the competition has started" to clearly indicate the commencement of a competitive activity, ensuring all participants are aware that the event is officially underway. This is especially useful in formal announcements or reports.

Common error

Avoid using past perfect tense (had started) when the context requires present perfect (has started), as this can create confusion about the current status of the competition. If the competition is ongoing, use "the competition has started".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the competition has started" functions as a declaration, signaling the commencement of a contest or competitive event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable. The examples show that it's used to inform about the beginning of a competitive activity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the competition has started" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates the commencement of a competitive event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news reports, business announcements, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is correct (present perfect) and that the context accurately reflects the start of a contest, game, or similar activity. Alternative phrases, such as "the contest has begun" or "the race is on", can be used for variety, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the contest has begun

Replaces 'competition' with 'contest', implying a slightly less formal event.

the game is on

Uses a more informal and figurative expression.

the race is on

Emphasizes a sense of urgency and forward movement.

the battle has commenced

Implies a more intense and potentially aggressive form of competition.

the challenge is underway

Highlights the presence of a difficult task or challenge.

the tournament has begun

Specifically refers to the beginning of a tournament-style competition.

the event has kicked off

Uses a more casual expression for the start of an event.

the bidding has commenced

Specifically relates to the start of a bidding process.

the selection process has started

Refers to the beginning of a process to choose a winner from multiple participants.

the qualifying round has begun

Indicates the commencement of preliminary rounds in a competition.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "the competition has started"?

It means that a contest, game, or other competitive event is officially underway. It signifies the beginning of the active phase where participants are actively competing.

What can I say instead of "the competition has started"?

You can use alternatives like "the contest has begun", "the game is on", or "the race is on" depending on the context.

Is "the competition has started" grammatically correct?

Yes, "the competition has started" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to indicate an action that began in the past and has relevance in the present.

Which is more appropriate: "the competition started" or "the competition has started"?

While both are grammatically correct, "the competition has started" often implies a more immediate and ongoing relevance. "The competition started" is appropriate if referring to a completed event or a point in the past without present implications.