I shall commence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I shall commence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal contexts to indicate the beginning of an action or process. Example: "I shall commence the meeting at 10 AM sharp."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Lest I should be taxed with exaggeration when I record my impressions of the beauty and potential wealth of the Archipelago, so far as I have seen it ; I shall commence by citing the opinions of some who, at different times, have visited the islands.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

(i) Payment of an approved involuntary allotment under 32 CFR part 112 and this part shall commence within 30 days after the designated DFAS official has approved the involuntary allotment.

Cornell University

"Because time is of the essence, the recount shall commence immediately.

The New York Times

The work shall commence early next year and will be done in phases," he said.

The Guardian

Because time is of the essence, the Circuit Court shall commence the tabulation of the Miami-Dade ballots immediately.

The New York Times

Such inspections shall commence not later than twelve months after November 8 , 1984

Cornell University

No Federalreserve bank shall commence business with a subscribed capital less than $4,000,000.

Cornell University

A review of the status of each individual currently detained at Guantanamo (Review) shall commence immediately.

Cornell University

At the end of his remarks, Judge Sullivan said, "The Court shall commence criminal contempt proceedings against the original prosecution team, including William Welch, Brenda Morris, Joseph Bottini, Nicholas Marsh, James Goeke and Edward Sullivan".

The New Yorker

THIS Act shall commence, and be in force, from and after the ___ day of ___ in the year ____

Cornell University

The Under Secretary shall commence any roadmapping identified pursuant to subsection (a)(1) not later than January 2007.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I shall commence" in formal settings where a slightly elevated tone is appropriate, such as academic papers or official announcements. However, be aware that it can sound overly formal in casual conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "I shall commence" in informal contexts or casual conversations, as it can sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I will begin" or "I'll start" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I shall commence" functions as a declarative statement indicating the speaker's intention to begin an action. According to Ludwig, it's a correct way to express the beginning of an action or process, predominantly in formal settings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I shall commence" is a formal phrase indicating the intention to begin something. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct but less common in contemporary English, mainly used in academia, news, and formal business contexts. While grammatically sound, using simpler alternatives like "I will begin" might be more appropriate for modern usage in informal scenarios. Be mindful of the overly formal tone it might convey in everyday conversation. Thus, it's crucial to choose the expression depending on the register required. Also the phrase may be used in Legal context in some cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I will begin

Replaces 'shall commence' with 'will begin', a more common and slightly less formal way to express the start of an action.

I will start

Substitutes 'shall commence' with 'will start', offering a simple and direct alternative.

I am going to begin

Uses the 'going to' future tense with 'begin', conveying a planned start of action.

I intend to start

Emphasizes intention and planning before the commencement of an activity.

I am about to begin

Indicates an imminent start, suggesting the action will happen very soon.

I plan to commence

Replaces 'shall' with 'plan to', highlighting the planning aspect of starting.

I am set to begin

Suggests readiness and preparation to start something.

I am on the point of starting

Implies being very close to the moment of starting.

Let me begin

Introduces the start of an action with a slightly more conversational tone.

Allow me to commence

A more polite and formal way of indicating the start of something.

FAQs

What does "I shall commence" mean?

The phrase "I shall commence" means "I will begin" or "I am going to start". It's a formal way of indicating that you are about to begin an action or activity.

When is it appropriate to use "I shall commence"?

Use "I shall commence" in formal writing or speech where a slightly elevated or traditional tone is desired. It is suitable for academic papers, official statements, or formal presentations.

What can I say instead of "I shall commence"?

You can use alternatives like "I will begin", "I will start", or "I am going to start" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "I shall commence" more formal than "I will begin"?

Yes, "I shall commence" is generally considered more formal and somewhat old-fashioned compared to "I will begin". The latter is more commonly used in contemporary English.