the competition started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the competition started" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to express the beginning of some kind of competition. For example: "The competition started at noon and the competitors were eager to get going."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The competition started with a written test.

Cornell University

Once the competition started, they stayed together.

The Guardian - Sport

The competition started with the judges calling out poses.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was 'discovered' just two days before the competition started.

The Guardian - Sport

The competition started in 2001, when just nine teams competed for about $10,000.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The competition started with women representing 80 countries between the ages of 19 and 27.

The Guardian

Once the competition started, the crowd was tense and involved, but not excessively patriotic.

The Guardian - Sport

The competition started April 10 at Louisville Downs and finished here.

The New York Times

And then the competition started to heat up: there have been four rounds of "pundit challenges" since.

The New Yorker

If he doesn't, his Euro 2012 will be defined by an incident that occurred eight months before the competition started.

The New York Times

A day after the competition started, eighteen teams presented their preliminary ideas to a team of experts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the competition started", ensure the context clearly defines which competition you are referring to. For instance, specify the name or type of competition beforehand to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses within the same sentence when describing the competition's beginning and subsequent events. Maintain consistency by using past tense for completed actions and present tense for ongoing or habitual actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the competition started" functions as a declarative statement indicating the commencement of a contest. As seen in Ludwig's examples, this phrase serves to establish a point of initiation in a narrative or report.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the competition started" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the beginning of a competition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts such as news, academia, and formal settings. While alternatives exist, such as "the contest began", the original phrase remains a clear and direct way to communicate the commencement of an event. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the specific competition being referenced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the contest began

Replaces 'started' with 'began', a direct synonym, keeping the meaning nearly identical.

the games commenced

Substitutes 'competition' with 'games' and 'started' with 'commenced', offering a slightly more formal tone, especially suitable for sporting events.

the tournament kicked off

Uses the idiom 'kicked off' to replace 'started', which is common in sports contexts, implying an energetic beginning.

the event was launched

Replaces 'competition' with 'event' and 'started' with 'launched', broadening the context beyond just competitions to any organized event.

the challenge initiated

Substitutes 'competition' with 'challenge' and 'started' with 'initiated', useful when the event involves overcoming obstacles or solving problems.

the race began

Focuses specifically on races or contests involving speed and progress, substituting 'competition' with 'race'.

the struggle commenced

Implies a difficult or contentious start, replacing 'competition' with 'struggle' and 'started' with 'commenced'.

the battle began

Suggests a more adversarial start, using 'battle' instead of 'competition' to denote conflict.

the bidding opened

Specific to auctions or bidding scenarios, focusing on the commencement of offers and counter-offers.

the proceedings got underway

Offers a formal and slightly indirect way of saying something started, often used in official or legal contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "the contest began", "the games commenced", or "the tournament kicked off" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the competition was started"?

While grammatically valid, "the competition was started" is less common and can sound awkward. "The competition started" is generally preferred for its directness and clarity.

How do I use "the competition started" in a sentence?

Use "the competition started" to indicate the beginning of a contest or event, such as "The competition started promptly at 9 AM" or "The competition started with a written exam".

What's the difference between "the competition started" and "the competition has started"?

"The competition started" indicates that the competition began at a specific point in the past, whereas "the competition has started" implies that the competition began in the past and is still ongoing.