was started
[/wəz ˈstɑːrtɪd/]
verb phrase (past tense passive voice)
foi iniciado/foi começado
1. past tense passive form indicating that something began or was put into motion by an external agent
The project was started last Monday.
O projeto foi iniciado na segunda-feira passada.
2. indicates the beginning of an action or process in past time, with focus on who or what initiated it
The meeting was started by the director.
A reunião foi iniciada pelo diretor.
3. used to describe an engine or mechanical device being activated
The engine was started successfully.
O motor foi acionado com sucesso.
This is a standard grammatical construction used equally in American English, Brazilian Portuguese, and European Portuguese. It emphasizes the passive reception of an action and is commonly used in business, academic, and formal written communication across all English and Portuguese-speaking cultures.
Related Idioms & Phrases
was started from scratch - foi iniciado do zero
was started off on the right foot - foi iniciado do jeito certo
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