before the commencement

USAGE SUMMARY

"before the commencement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to the beginning of an event or process, e.g. "We must finish all preparations before the commencement of the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's already bagged a second series before the commencement of the first, something even Alan Partridge never achieved.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Such tools could improve treatment by informing clinical decision-making before the commencement of treatment.

The Lancet Psychiatry

They were adapted to experimental conditions for 21 days, before the commencement of the measurement periods.

Livestock Science

An appropriate axial load was applied to the column before the commencement of simulated seismic testing.

Engineering Structures

The institute's ethics committee approval was taken before the commencement of study.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

b Side view of the flume tank before the commencement of an experiment.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Informed consent was obtained from each subject before the commencement of our study.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

They were acclimatized for 2 weeks on pelletized mouse chow before the commencement of the experiment.

Clinical Phytoscience

Animals were acclimatized to the laboratory conditions for the duration of ten days before the commencement of the experiment.

Clinical Phytoscience

To avoid such problems, these soils are required to treat or stabilize before the commencement of the construction project.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

My mother and I some years before the commencement of our rivalry.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before the commencement", ensure that the context is formal enough to warrant the use of "commencement" over simpler alternatives like "start" or "beginning".

Common error

Avoid using "before the commencement" in casual or informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "before the start" or "before it begins" would be more appropriate. Using overly formal language can sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the commencement" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating the time preceding an event. Ludwig's examples show it often introduces clauses specifying actions or conditions required prior to a specific beginning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before the commencement" is a formal prepositional phrase indicating a time preceding the start of an event. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. While "very common", it's best suited for formal and scientific contexts, as highlighted by its frequent appearance in science-related articles. For less formal situations, consider alternatives like "before the start" or "before it begins". Remember to use "before the commencement" when a formal tone is desired and avoid it in casual conversation to maintain a natural and appropriate style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to the beginning

Replaces "commencement" with "beginning", a more common synonym, resulting in a slightly less formal tone.

prior to the outset

Uses "outset" as a synonym for "commencement", conveying a sense of the very beginning of something.

preceding the initiation

Substitutes "commencement" with "initiation", maintaining a formal tone but with a different emphasis.

ahead of the start

Uses "ahead of" instead of "before" and "start" instead of "commencement", offering a more casual alternative.

in advance of the opening

Employs "in advance of" for "before" and "opening" for "commencement", providing a slightly more descriptive alternative.

earlier than the opening

Uses "earlier than" to replace "before" and focuses on a timing aspect of the commencement.

leading up to the launch

Replaces "before" with "leading up to" and "commencement" with "launch", suitable when referring to the start of a project or event.

preparatory to the start

Uses "preparatory to" to emphasize the preparation phase before the commencement, altering the focus slightly.

previous to the kick-off

Employs "kick-off" as a more informal substitute for "commencement", appropriate for less formal contexts.

in anticipation of the beginning

Focuses on the expectation or anticipation before the beginning, adding a nuance not present in the original phrase.

FAQs

What does "before the commencement" mean?

The phrase "before the commencement" means prior to the beginning or start of something, often used in formal contexts to refer to the period preceding an event or process.

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

You might say, "All applications must be submitted "prior to the beginning" of the program," which is similar to saying "before the commencement".

What are some alternatives to "before the commencement"?

Alternatives include phrases like "before the start", ""prior to the beginning"", or "in advance of the opening", which offer varying degrees of formality.

Is "before the commencement" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "before the commencement" is generally considered quite formal. In everyday conversation, it's more common to use phrases like "before the start" or "before it begins".