they have started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they have started' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has begun, and can be used in almost any context. For example: "The construction crew arrived early this morning - they have started work on building the new park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have started to cut expenses, however.

The Economist

But they have started to recover.

The New York Times - Sports

They have started to raise them.

The Guardian

And lately they have started working together.

The New York Times

They have started giving out mattresses.

The Guardian

They have started to build a banking union.

The Economist

They have started to rise again and with good reason.

Independent

"Their situation is awful and they have started to flee.

The Guardian

They have started using bigger bombs from planes.

The Guardian

They have started by erasing some of his.

The New York Times

They have started eating a lot of cheese on toast.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they have started" when you want to emphasize that an action has commenced and might be ongoing. It's a versatile phrase suitable for various contexts from formal reports to casual conversations.

Common error

While "they have started" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less sophisticated. Consider using more precise verbs like "initiated", "commenced", or "launched" to add nuance and formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have started" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action or process. Ludwig shows numerous examples across diverse contexts, confirming its role in signaling that a group has initiated something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they have started" is a highly versatile and frequently used phrase that denotes the commencement of an action or process. Its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various authoritative sources, as confirmed by Ludwig, underscore its reliability. The phrase is primarily used in news and media contexts, as well as science and business. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing. With Ludwig's AI confirming its standard usage, this phrase serves as a reliable tool for indicating the initiation of activities across numerous scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they began

Replaces "have started" with a simpler past tense form, implying a completed action of beginning.

they commenced

Substitutes "started" with a more formal synonym, "commenced", indicating a more official or ceremonious beginning.

they initiated

Replaces "have started" with "initiated", suggesting a formal or deliberate beginning of something.

they've gotten underway

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea that something has begun or is in progress.

they are now doing

Shifts the focus to the ongoing action after the start, rather than the act of starting itself.

they're in the process of

Highlights the ongoing nature of the activity that has been started.

they set about

Indicates that someone has started with determination or purpose.

they've turned to

Suggests that they've started to engage with a specific new activity or approach.

they are embarking on

Emphasizes the beginning of a new or important venture or project.

they are getting into

Expresses that someone is starting to become involved or interested in something.

FAQs

How can I use "they have started" in a sentence?

You can use "they have started" to indicate the beginning of an action or process. For example, "they have started to build a new school" or "they have started to recover from the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "they have started"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "they began", "they commenced", or "they initiated".

Is it correct to say "they have started" or should I use "they started"?

Both "they have started" and "they started" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "They have started" emphasizes the ongoing relevance of the action, while "they started" simply indicates that the action began in the past. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "they have started" and "they are starting"?

"They have started" implies a completed action of beginning, with possible ongoing consequences. "They are starting" suggests an action that is in the process of beginning right now. For example, "They have started building the bridge" suggests the construction is underway, while "They are starting the meeting now" indicates the meeting is beginning at this moment.