Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
we're underway
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
we have started
we are underway
has commenced
we are off
we have launched
things are moving
game is afoot
we are getting started
we are commencing
we are initiating
we are resuming
we are complete
we are started
we are proceeding
we are opening
we are starting
we are enacting
we are staring
we are enforcing
we are setting out
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
30 human-written examples
3.00pm: Right we're underway.
News & Media
3.23pm BST We're underway.
News & Media
We're underway again with NSW kicking long, as is customary.
News & Media
Arizona 7-17 Pittsburgh: Clock 15.00 Right we're underway.
News & Media
PB 8.46pm: We're underway again at the O2.
News & Media
1 min: The teams are out and we're underway.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
30 human-written examples
8.32pm GMT 1 mins We are underway.
News & Media
Current advice says we are underway at 12.45pm.
News & Media
And we are underway again... 10.31pm GMT Stats Aha, the stat box reveals that KC have, in fact, committed nine fouls to seven by RSL.
News & Media
1605GMT: And we are underway in Monrovia as Liberia host Cape Verde.
News & Media
1831GMT: The Egyptian anthem is sung with real passion and then it's down to business and we are underway in Cairo - the final game of the weekend.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Ensure that the collective 'we' clearly refers to the participants or the organizing body of the event described.
Common error
Do not combine the phrase with other redundant start-signals like "now we're underway starting". The word "underway" already encompasses the concept of having begun. Also, avoid using it for static situations; it implies motion or active progress.
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "we're underway" serves as a present-tense announcement indicating that a specific activity, event or process has officially started. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often functions as a performative declaration used by commentators or reporters to mark the exact moment of commencement.
Frequent in
News & Media
85%
Social Media
10%
Formal & Business
5%
Less common in
Science
3%
Academia
1%
Wiki
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "we're underway" is a robust and versatile expression primarily used to signal the commencement of an event. Analysis of the data provided by Ludwig shows a heavy concentration of this phrase in News & Media, particularly within sports journalism and live-blogging. It effectively conveys a sense of energy and immediate action. While it is standard in professional reporting, writers should be mindful of the context—using the full "we are" for more formal settings and the contraction "we're" for conversational or fast-paced media. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically sound and highly effective tool for marking the start of any significant process.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
we have started
uses the present perfect tense to emphasize the completed action of beginning
we've kicked off
uses a sports-derived idiom that is very common in business and casual contexts
we are off
is a more concise and slightly more informal way to signal the start
the action has begun
shifts focus from the participants (we) to the activity itself
proceedings have commenced
significantly increases formality and is suitable for legal or ceremonial events
we are now proceeding
suggests a structured or sequential movement forward
the event is in progress
describes the state of the event rather than the moment of starting
we are rolling
implies a continuous motion and is often used in creative or production fields
we have launched
specifically refers to the release of a product or a large-scale initiative
things are moving
is a more vague and colloquial way to describe progress
FAQs
How do I use "we're underway" in a sentence?
You can use it to announce the start of an event, such as "The whistle has blown and "we're underway" at Wembley Stadium".
What can I say instead of "we're underway"?
Depending on the context, you can use "we have started", "we've kicked off" or "we are off and running".
Is "we're underway" correct for formal writing?
Yes, it is correct, though in very formal documents you might prefer the uncontracted "we are underway" or "has commenced".
What is the difference between "we're underway" and "we're starting"?
While "we're starting" refers to the immediate intent to begin, "we're underway" usually implies that the movement or process has already seen its first action.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested