Commencement date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Commencement date" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal contexts, such as contracts or agreements, to refer to the date on which a particular event or activity is set to begin. Example: "The commencement date for the project is scheduled for March 1st."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

In the 79 hospitals in which the MET commencement date was known, 75% of MET services had commenced by May 2002.

Critical Care

More generally, the commencement date is Quinquagesima Sunday (the Sunday before Ash Wednesday), and the termination is Shrove Tuesday.

Britannica

The impact on the budget of the life events exemptions, raising the cap or changing its commencement date were still unclear.

The Guardian

4. Commencement date If you order by telephone, the operator should confirm to you the earliest date on which your subscription can start.

The Guardian

The collection is divided into seven subject files, arranged chronologically by the commencement date of the project.

Cornell University

User shall pay a fee of $ _____________________ to Licensor at the following address: within 30 days of commencement date, listed above.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Princeton's academic calendar shows Commencement dates several years in advance, and more detailed information is available on the Commencement information website closer to the events.

Princeton University

It included representatives from free-to-air broadcasters, manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers and was intended to provide information about commencement dates, coverage, and the functionality and availability of equipment.

Wikipedia

Every candidate, regardless of graduation date, is invited to participate in the May Commencement ceremony.

Columbia University

Of those who died within 2 years of study commencement, their date of death was recorded from the Hospital Patient Administration System.

British Journal of Cancer

Columbia's Commencement program dates back about 260 years, and the iconic Morningside campus outdoor ceremony began in 1926.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing contracts or formal agreements, clearly define the "commencement date" to avoid any ambiguity about when the terms and conditions take effect.

Common error

Avoid using "commencement date" when you actually mean a deadline or completion date. "Commencement date" refers specifically to the beginning, not the end, of an activity or project.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commencement date" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it specifying a point in time when something begins, such as a project, lease, or agreement. Ludwig AI considers it correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Science

23%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commencement date" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that indicates the starting date of an event, project, or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English, primarily in formal contexts. While ""start date"" is a common alternative, "commencement date" adds a layer of formality suitable for legal or official documentation. It's crucial to differentiate it from deadlines or completion dates. Common contexts include News & Media, Science, and Academia with the authoritative sources being The Guardian, The New York Times and Cornell University.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Date of commencement

A more formal rephrasing that maintains the meaning but changes the word order.

Start date

A more common and less formal way to refer to when something begins.

Beginning date

A simple and straightforward alternative to "Commencement date".

Starting date

Another variation that is closely aligned to the meaning of the target.

Effective date

Specifies when a policy, contract, or law comes into effect.

Inception date

Refers to the very beginning or start of something, often used in more formal or legal contexts.

Date of initiation

Similar to "Commencement date" but emphasizes the act of initiating something.

Launch date

Typically used when referring to the start of a project, product or service.

Activation date

Often used when referring to when an account or service becomes active.

Kick-off date

A more informal term for the beginning of a project or initiative.

FAQs

How to use "commencement date" in a sentence?

Use "commencement date" to indicate the start of a specific event, project, or agreement. For example, "The "start date" for the lease is January 1, 2026."

What can I say instead of "commencement date"?

You can use alternatives like ""start date"", "effective date", or "beginning date" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "commencement date" or "start date"?

"Commencement date" and ""start date"" are both correct, but "commencement date" is more formal and often used in legal or official documents. "Start date" is more commonly used in everyday language.

What's the difference between "commencement date" and "effective date"?

"Commencement date" generally refers to the date something begins. "Effective date" specifically refers to the date a legal agreement, policy, or regulation comes into force. They are often interchangeable, but "effective date" has a more precise legal connotation.