the match has started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the match has started" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to a sports match, for example: "The match has started, and the players are already showing intense competition!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Projects are measured against an ability to predict, reasonably precisely, how a goal will be scored before the match has started.

The Guardian

Foxes fans, who are upset at the late switch in date and kick-off time, plan to enter the Emirates Stadium five minutes after the match has started.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Before the match had started.

The Guardian - Sport

"After that, I felt the match had started for me".

The New York Times - Sports

The match had started, and we could hear the echoing chants of Torcida.

The New Yorker

The match had started brightly enough for them, although not for Rodriguez, who skewed a sixth-minute shot horribly wide.

The Guardian - Sport

The match had started for them with a thunderous rendition of the national anthem and it ended with the players running towards the Welsh fans and throwing themselves into full-length dives.

The Guardian - Sport

In the cool of evening, the match having started at just after 5.30pm here, the 32-year-old fought back with the spirit and tenacity of a far younger man, determined to use up every last scrap of energy to keep himself in with the chance of another match.

The Guardian - Sport

The match had started well for West Ham even though a long casualty list forced Allardyce to field an unfamiliar three-man central defence featuring no specialist central defenders, the deal to sign Jonny Heitinga from Everton not having been completed.

The Guardian - Sport

The match had started brightly for Murray.

BBC

The Spaniard revealed that he had felt an issue with his back even before the match had started.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "the match has started" to clearly indicate the beginning of a sporting event or competition. Ensure context is clear regarding which match is being referred to.

Common error

Avoid using "the match has started" without specifying which match you are referring to, especially if multiple matches are occurring simultaneously. Provide context or specific details to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the match has started" functions as a declarative statement indicating the commencement of a sporting event or competition. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is usable in written English. The examples from Ludwig confirm this.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the match has started" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to indicate the commencement of a match or sporting event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. The phrase has a neutral register, and the best practice is to ensure clarity by specifying which match is being referenced. Common alternatives include "the game is underway" and "play has begun". While infrequent, its usage is typically found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the game is underway

Replaces "match" with "game" and uses "is underway" to indicate the start.

play has begun

General term indicating the commencement of any game or match.

the contest is beginning

Substitutes "match" with "contest" and "has started" with "is beginning".

the event is commencing

Uses more formal vocabulary like "event" and "commencing".

the competition is now live

Replaces "has started" with "is now live" to emphasize real-time activity.

the battle is joined

Employs a metaphorical term "battle" to convey intense competition and substitutes "has started" with "is joined".

proceedings have commenced

Utilizes formal language to denote the beginning of a structured event.

kickoff has occurred

Specifically refers to the start of a soccer or football match.

the starting bell has rung

Refers to the start of a match or event signaled by a bell.

the opening whistle has blown

Specifically indicates the auditory signal marking the start of a match.

FAQs

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

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

Is it correct to say "the match is started"?

No, "the match is started" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "the match has started" or "the match started".

How to use "the match has started" in a sentence?

You can use it to announce the commencement of a sporting event, for example, "The match has started, and both teams are displaying high energy".

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

"The match has started" indicates the present perfect tense, implying the match started recently and is ongoing. "The match started" is simple past tense, suggesting the match began at a specific time in the past.