the game has started

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "the game has started" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an event or activity that has recently begun. Example: Everyone gathered around the television, excited to watch the championship game. With a loud buzzer, the game has started!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The rules should not be changed after the game has started".

Independent

- It is proclaimed that the game has started to pass the 64-year old Saban by.

The Guardian - Sport

Romine has recently been telling his father that the game has started to slow down for him.

The New York Times - Sports

The game has started as we expected, with Bayern having plenty of the ball. 2 min Schweingsteiger is booked for a deliberate handball.

The Guardian - Sport

By changing the rules six months after the game has started and landing business with an unsignalled £1bn tax rise, the government has sent an unwelcome signal".

The Guardian

Steve Radley, policy director for EEF the manufacturers' organisation, said: "By changing the rules six months after the game has started and landing business with an unsignalled £1bn tax rise the government has sent an unwelcome signal".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The game had started so promisingly, what had gone wrong?

The Guardian - Sport

The game had started with Neymar hitting the bar.

The Guardian - Sport

Then it sounded as though the game had started and the mood changed.

The Guardian - Sport

The game had started with such promise, as the Nets took an 11-point lead.

The New York Times - Sports

"They used to get one over on teams before the game had started.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “the game has started” to clearly indicate the beginning of a specific event or activity, setting the stage for subsequent actions or observations. It's particularly effective in live broadcasts or real-time reporting.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently after stating “the game has started”. For example, don't follow with “the team will score,” but rather maintain present or past tenses like “the team is scoring” or “the team scored.”

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the game has started" primarily functions as a statement declaring that a specific game or contest is currently underway. This is supported by Ludwig examples indicating real-time updates and announcements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

28%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the game has started" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to announce the beginning of a game or event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's versatility is reflected in its presence across various contexts, particularly in news and media and wiki sources. To enhance writing, remember to maintain tense consistency and consider related phrases such as “the match is underway” for nuanced expression. By adhering to these guidelines, you can confidently and effectively employ "the game has started" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the match is underway

Replaces "game" with "match" and "has started" with "is underway", indicating that the match has begun.

the competition has begun

Substitutes "game" with "competition" and "started" with "begun", referring to the commencement of a competitive event.

the event is now in progress

Replaces "game" with "event" and uses "is now in progress" instead of "has started", indicating the event is currently happening.

play has commenced

Uses "play" instead of "game" and "commenced" instead of "started", providing a slightly more formal tone.

the activity is now live

Replaces "game" with "activity" and "has started" with "is now live", suggesting the activity is currently happening and viewable.

kickoff is underway

Specifically used for sports like football or soccer, indicating the start of the game.

the ball is in play

Common in sports, implying the game has started and action is happening.

let the games begin

An idiomatic expression indicating the commencement of a series of competitive events or a challenging situation.

the show is about to begin

Replaces "game" with "show" and slightly alters the tense to suggest an imminent start.

we're live

A concise statement indicating the start of a broadcast or live event.

FAQs

How can I use “the game has started” in a sentence?

You can use “the game has started” to indicate the beginning of a game or other activity. For example: "The commentator announced that "the game has started", and the crowd erupted."

What can I say instead of “the game has started”?

You can use alternatives like “"the match is underway"”, “"the competition has begun"”, or “"play has commenced"” depending on the context.

Is it correct to say “the game is started” instead of “the game has started”?

No, “the game is started” is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is “"the game has started"” which uses the present perfect tense to indicate an action that began in the past and continues to have relevance.

What's the difference between “the game has started” and “the game is starting”?

“"The game has started"” indicates the game is already in progress, while “the game is starting” suggests the game is about to begin or is in the initial stages of beginning.