ahead of commencing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ahead of commencing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate actions or preparations that should take place before starting a particular task or event. Example: "We need to finalize the budget ahead of commencing the project to ensure everything is in order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The company is undertaking a 150-day testing programme ahead of commencing drilling of a well at the site towards the end of summer.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Last minute negotiations continued on Tuesday night but it is expected a number of the 10 in addition to Coogan will also announce they have settled, in a procedural hearing just days ahead of full trials commencing.

The Guardian

You can overcome problems with power by working with energy suppliers to get the electricity switched on ahead of void works commencing, so that once you enter the property work can start immediately.

The Guardian

Labor's payments spokeswoman, Jenny Macklin, and its Indigenous affairs spokesman, Shayne Neumann, said the opposition had gained assurances "that there will be a robust evaluation framework agreed, made public and in place ahead of the trial commencing".

The Guardian

On the same day, a screening of "What Lies Ahead" commenced at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Wikipedia

The British squadron spotted the Germans at 05 37 (ship's clocks were set four hours ahead of local time – the engagement commenced shortly after dawn), but the Germans were already aware of their presence, Prinz Eugens hydrophones having previously detected the sounds of high-speed propellers to their south-east.

Wikipedia

Swann will return to India ahead of the first Test in Ahmedabad, commencing 15 November.

The Guardian - Sport

Filming will commence in the spring, ahead of a 2014 release.

The Guardian - Film

Get ahead of the hitters".

The New Yorker

Thankfully, Jessica Ennis has arrived in South Korea fit and healthy, ahead of the defence of her heptathlon crown, which commences with the 100m hurdles at 2am Monday morning British time.

Independent

"The recovery period is anticipated to see him return to full fitness ahead of England's tour of the UAE commencing in January".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ahead of commencing" to clearly indicate that certain actions or preparations must be completed before a specific project or event begins. This helps to ensure proper planning and execution.

Common error

While "ahead of commencing" is grammatically sound, be mindful of your audience. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "before starting" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ahead of commencing" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun phrase to indicate a temporal relationship. It specifies that something must occur before the start of a subsequent action or event, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ahead of commencing" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something must occur before the start of a subsequent action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While the phrase isn't exceedingly common, it maintains a degree of formality suitable for news, academic, and professional contexts. For simpler and informal communication, consider alternatives such as "before starting". When using "ahead of commencing", ensure it aligns with the overall tone and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before commencement

Focuses directly on the time preceding the start of something.

prior to commencement

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the preceding nature.

in anticipation of starting

Highlights the preparatory aspect before the beginning.

leading up to commencement

Emphasizes the period and events before the start.

preceding the start

Directly indicates the events or time before the initiation.

in preparation for commencement

Focuses on the actions taken to get ready for the start.

before the beginning

A simpler, more general way to express the same idea.

in advance of commencement

Similar to 'ahead of', but emphasizes planning and preparation.

preparatory to commencement

A more formal and less common way of saying 'in preparation'.

forthcoming commencement

Emphasizes the imminence of the start, with preparatory undertones.

FAQs

What does "ahead of commencing" mean?

The phrase "ahead of commencing" means before starting or before the beginning of something. It indicates that an action or event should take place prior to the commencement of another action or event.

Is "ahead of commencing" formal or informal?

The phrase "ahead of commencing" tends to be more formal. In less formal contexts, phrases like "before starting" or "prior to beginning" might be more suitable.

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

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

How to use "ahead of commencing" in a sentence?

You can use "ahead of commencing" to show that one action or event must happen before another begins, for instance, "We need to finalize the budget "ahead of commencing" the project to ensure everything is in order."