before I commence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before I commence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you will begin something after a certain point or after providing some information. Example: "Before I commence my presentation, I would like to thank everyone for being here today."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hence I am going to share with you all a few words of encouragement before I commence a new stage in my life, which is not more distant from the Society, its mission, you all, or the desire we share to properly serve the sick.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I disclosed all this to the FDIC before I commenced my employment there, and FDIC security personnel found me suitable for a government security clearance," he said.

Huffington Post

The one thing I know I have said to myself before I've commenced any major challenge has been 'How hard can this be?'.

Huffington Post

Educated at the University of Oxford, Caroe served in the British army during World War I before commencing a distinguished career in the Indian Civil Service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

"I recognize that a man who fights must carry scars, and I decided long before this campaign commenced that I had been in so many battles and had alienated so many that my party ought to have the leadership of some one who had not thus offended and who thus might lead with greater hope of victory.

The New York Times

5) Hydration status was manipulated before the performance task commenced, i.e. dehydration and fluid ingestion occurred before, not during, the performance assessment.

Sports Medicine - Open

Just a few weeks before the Winter Olympics commenced, I met Kate Hansen for the first time – which is to say I spoke to her over the phone for half an hour when she was half a world away in Germany.

Los Angeles Times

The presence of comorbid factors has to be considered before assessment as well as before commencing any repositioning treatment.

American Journal of Otolaryngology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before I commence" when a slightly more formal tone is desired, especially in professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "before I commence" in informal settings, as it may sound pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "before I begin" or "before I start" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before I commence" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies when an action will take place. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before I commence" is a grammatically sound phrase best used in formal contexts to indicate that an action will follow a specific point in time. While correct, Ludwig suggests simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in informal settings. The phrase appears across various domains, including academia, news, and science, albeit infrequently. It is crucial to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use "before I commence" or a more accessible alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before I begin

Replaces "commence" with a more common synonym, reducing formality.

before I start

Replaces "commence" with a more common synonym while maintaining the personal pronoun.

before starting

Employs a simple and widely understood verb, decreasing formality.

prior to commencing

Uses a more formal structure with "prior to" instead of "before".

ahead of commencing

Uses "ahead of" to indicate anticipation, making the sentence more dynamic.

in advance of commencing

Emphasizes the proactive nature of the action.

previous to commencing

Substitutes "before" with the more formal "previous to".

preceding my commencement

Nominalizes "commence", creating a more formal and structured phrase.

until I commence

Changes the temporal relationship to indicate duration up to the commencement.

ere I commence

Uses an archaic term "ere" for "before", giving the sentence a vintage feel.

FAQs

What is a simpler way to say "before I commence"?

You can use alternatives like "before I begin" or "before I start" for a less formal tone.

In what contexts is "before I commence" most appropriate?

"Before I commence" is best suited for formal settings such as presentations, speeches, or academic writing where a slightly elevated tone is desired.

Is "before I commence" grammatically correct?

Yes, "before I commence" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure.

Are there situations where I should avoid using "before I commence"?

Yes, avoid using "before I commence" in casual conversations or informal writing where it might sound overly formal or stilted. Simpler alternatives are usually preferable in those contexts.