they just started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they just started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action or event has recently begun, often in a casual or conversational context. Example: "They just started the meeting, so we should hurry to join them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They just started shooting.

The New York Times

They just started crying.

The New Yorker

They just started playing".

The New York Times - Arts

They just started dancing.

The New Yorker

"They just started beating us".

The New York Times

"They just started.

The Washington Post

They just started coming.

The Guardian - Sport

"They just started shooting people.

The New Yorker

They just started cheering," he remembers.

University of California, Berkeley

"They just started coming to me really.

The Guardian - Books

"They just started listening more attentively.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms such as "they recently began" or "they have only just begun" to avoid repetition and enrich your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they just started" when referring to an action that began and concluded in the past. Instead, use "they had just started" or "they started recently".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they just started" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the recent commencement of an action. It combines the pronoun "they" with the adverb "just" and the past tense verb "started", specifying the timing of the action as very recent. Ludwig examples confirm its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they just started" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the recent commencement of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, predominantly in news and media but also present in academic settings. It is suitable for neutral register and is effective for conveying immediacy. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "they recently began" or "they have only just begun" to vary your writing style. Be mindful not to confuse the tense when describing events that both started and finished in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they recently began

Emphasizes the recent nature of the commencement.

they have only just begun

Highlights that the action is in its early stages.

they initiated just now

Implies immediate start, perhaps unexpectedly.

they commenced a short while ago

More formal way to indicate a recent beginning.

they've only just kicked off

Informal, implying the very beginning of something, like a project.

their start was recent

Focuses on the recency of the starting point.

they only got going recently

Suggests overcoming an initial hurdle to start.

the onset was just now

Highlights the moment of beginning, often used for sudden events.

they have freshly started

Emphasizes the newness of the action.

they got underway just a bit ago

Suggests that the process has been launched.

FAQs

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

The phrase "they just started" indicates that something has recently begun. For example, "They just started the movie, so we haven't missed much".

What's a more formal alternative to "they just started"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "they recently began" or "they have only just begun".

Is "they just started" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they just started" is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to express that something has recently commenced, as supported by Ludwig AI.

When should I avoid using "they just started"?

Avoid using "they just started" when referring to actions that started and finished in the past. In such cases, use a past perfect tense like "they had just started".