before commencement

USAGE SUMMARY

"before commencement" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to the period of time occurring before a particular event. For example, "We need to get the paperwork completed before commencement of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Before commencement of operations, the original must be forwarded to our risk management division".

The New York Times

He arranged with Princeton to leave before commencement and come back and graduate later.

The New Yorker

Undergraduate and advanced-degree candidates gather on Cannon Green before Commencement May 31.

Princeton University

Graduates and families celebrated on the Sunday before Commencement at the Dean's Reception.

Yale University

2018 I School graduates celebrate on the Berkeley campus before commencement.

University of California, Berkeley

At the reception the evening before commencement, Yale Law School asked 2017 grads about their plans.

Yale University

Many seniors leave campus before Commencement, with more expected to depart.

Princeton University

Revisions recommended during the Oral Exam do not need to be completed before Commencement.

Stanford University

In the months before Commencement, Gore had solicited input from graduating students in an online dialogue.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But shortly before Commencement began, one graduate's father arrived at Morgan Gate with a grander flourish.

Harvard University

Maryam Ghiassi-Nejad, Thomas Lazzarini, and Paula Feng with Ronald Adelman before commencement on Old Campus.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context; while "before commencement" is appropriate for formal settings, alternatives like "before starting" may be suitable for more casual communication.

Common error

Avoid using "before commencement" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "before we start" or "before it begins" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before commencement" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by specifying a time relationship. It indicates when an action must be completed or a condition must be met relative to a start date. Ludwig provides many examples where this phrase sets a deadline or a condition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

48%

Academia

33%

News & Media

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before commencement" is a grammatically sound and formally appropriate way to indicate that something must occur prior to the start of an event or process. According to Ludwig, its use is most common in academic, scientific, and formal writing contexts. While it effectively conveys temporal order, it should be used judiciously in informal settings, where simpler alternatives are often more suitable. When writing, remember to consider your audience and choose the phrase that best matches the context and tone of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to initiation

Replaces "commencement" with "initiation", altering the formality slightly.

ahead of the start

Uses more common vocabulary while keeping the meaning equivalent.

leading up to the beginning

Emphasizes the process or time leading to the start, rather than a single point.

in anticipation of the opening

Shifts focus to the expectation of an opening or start.

preceding the launch

Employs a more formal tone with the word "launch", implying a significant event.

before the kick-off

Uses an idiomatic expression to refer to the start.

previous to the onset

Replaces "commencement" with "onset", giving a slightly more clinical feel.

antedating the start

Introduces a more archaic or legalistic tone.

on the eve of the opening

Implies imminence and a sense of anticipation.

in advance of the beginning

Highlights acting early and planning for future event.

FAQs

How can I use "before commencement" in a sentence?

Use "before commencement" to indicate an action or state that occurs prior to the beginning of something. For example, "All applications must be submitted "before commencement" of the program".

What are some alternatives to "before commencement"?

Alternatives include "before starting", "prior to initiation", or "ahead of the start", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "before commencement" formal or informal?

"Before commencement" is considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, using terms like "before starting" or "before beginning" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "before commencement" and "after commencement"?

"Before commencement" indicates actions or events that happen prior to the start of something, while "after commencement" refers to those that occur following the beginning. They are opposite in terms of timing.