Before commencing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Before commencing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something should be done prior to starting a task or activity. Example: "Before commencing the project, we need to gather all necessary materials and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Let the engine cool before commencing any work!

WikiHow

Understand the different quarters of the moon before commencing.

WikiHow

Always read the manuals accompanying both the DVD player and the movie projector before commencing.

WikiHow

Before commencing chemotherapy, each patient had an incisional tumor biopsy as previously described [1].

Plosone

Before commencing chemotherapy, each patient had an incisional tumor biopsy as described previously [14].

Plosone

Before commencing the trial, ethical approval was obtained from the University of Manchester.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Before Commencing data collection legal permission was obtained from officials of districts and health institutions.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Pre-treatment records were taken before commencing treatment (T1).

Progress in Orthodontics

Respondents provided verbal consent before commencing any surveys.

Health Economics Review

A systematic and comprehensive dentofacial analysis must be performed before commencing esthetic treatment.

The Saudi Dental Journal

These portions were identified by XPS before commencing of any experiment.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Before commencing", ensure the sentence clearly states the action that needs to be completed or considered before starting the primary task.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "Before commencing" might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Choose simpler alternatives like "before starting" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Before commencing" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically introducing a clause that specifies an action or condition that must be fulfilled prior to the main action described in the sentence. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

Wiki

18%

News & Media

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Before commencing" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that establishes a temporal sequence, indicating that something should be done or considered prior to starting another action. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts. While versatile, it tends to be more suitable for formal and scientific writing due to the formality of the word "commencing". In more casual contexts, alternatives like "before starting" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Before beginning

Uses the simpler word "beginning" instead of "commencing" making it more accessible.

Prior to starting

Changes the verb and preposition while maintaining the core meaning of doing something before another action.

Before initiating

Replaces "commencing" with the more common "initiating", simplifying the language while preserving the meaning.

Ahead of beginning

Replaces "commencing" with "beginning" and uses "ahead of" instead of "before", resulting in a slightly less formal tone.

Prior to initiating

Combines "prior to" with "initiating" for a slightly more formal tone compared to "before starting".

Previous to initiating

Employs more formal synonyms for "before" and "starting", making it suitable for professional or academic contexts.

In advance of commencing

Substitutes "before" with "in advance of", emphasizing the preparatory nature of the action.

Previous to beginning

Combines a more formal "previous to" with the simpler "beginning".

Before the start of

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the starting point, using "start of" to convey the same timing.

In preparation for

Highlights the preparatory aspect, shifting focus from temporal sequence to purpose.

FAQs

What's the difference between "Before commencing" and "Before starting"?

"Before commencing" is more formal than "Before starting". Use "Before commencing" in professional or academic writing, and "Before starting" in more casual contexts.

How to use "Before commencing" in a sentence?

"Before commencing" is typically followed by a noun or gerund phrase indicating the action to be completed beforehand. For example, "Before commencing the experiment, review the safety guidelines".

What can I say instead of "Before commencing"?

You can use alternatives like "prior to starting", "before beginning", or "in advance of starting" depending on the context.

Is "Before commencing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "Before commencing" is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions as a prepositional phrase modifying the main verb in a sentence.