I was commencing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was commencing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that you were beginning an action or process in the past. Example: "I was commencing my presentation when the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, to be on the safe side, I am commencing to read them the classics in their cribs so that high school English teachers will have an easier time of it, and will not label the children vacuous provincials.

The New York Times

Granted, he was commencing a campaign in extraordinary circumstances.

The New York Times

Over at the Park Slope Public Library, on Sixth Avenue at Ninth Street, voting in New York's primaries was commencing.

The New Yorker

The present lawsuit was commenced on December 18 , 1998

Harvard University

Seventy-two hours after the surgery, neural activity monitoring was commenced.

Nature

Q: The point at which the attack was commenced.

The New York Times

With Colonel Shaw leading, the assault was commenced".

The New York Times

The immigration department confirmed to Guardian Australia the AFP investigation was commenced at its request.

The Guardian

The synthesis was commenced from octanal 63.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

Gradual correction was commenced at 2 weeks.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

"A full forensic review was commenced in June 2006.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was commencing" when you want to convey a more formal or deliberate tone than "I was starting" or "I was beginning".

Common error

Avoid using "commencing" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "starting" or "beginning" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was commencing" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action in the past. It combines the personal pronoun "I", the auxiliary verb "was", and the verb "commencing" in the past continuous tense. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was commencing" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate the start of an action in the past. While not as common as alternatives like "I was starting" or "I was beginning", it adds a touch of formality to your writing. Ludwig AI indicates that it is fit for usage and you may find it appearing in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Be mindful of your audience and the desired tone when choosing between "I was commencing" and its simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was starting

Uses the more common verb "starting" instead of "commencing" to express the beginning of an action.

I was beginning

Employs the verb "beginning", a synonym for "commencing", to indicate the initial stage of an activity.

I had begun

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize that the action had started before another point in the past.

I initiated

Replaces the verb phrase with the verb "initiated", conveying a more formal tone.

I undertook

Substitutes the verb phrase with "undertook", suggesting a more deliberate or significant beginning.

I set about

Uses the phrasal verb "set about" to indicate starting something with a specific purpose or task in mind.

I got underway with

Employs the idiom "got underway with" to describe the start of a project or activity, implying progress.

I launched into

Replaces the verb phrase with "launched into", suggesting an energetic or enthusiastic start.

I embarked on

Uses "embarked on" to indicate the beginning of a journey, whether literal or metaphorical.

I kicked off

Employs the informal phrasal verb "kicked off" to signify the start of something, often a project or event.

FAQs

What does "I was commencing" mean?

It means "I was beginning" or "I was starting" something. The word "commencing" is a more formal synonym for beginning.

What can I say instead of "I was commencing"?

You can use alternatives like "I was starting", "I was beginning", or "I initiated" depending on the context.

Is "I was commencing" formal or informal?

It is generally considered more formal than "I was starting" or "I was beginning". Use it when a more elevated tone is desired.

How do I use "I was commencing" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "I was commencing my research when the library closed." The phrase indicates the start of an action in the past.