before we commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we commenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time prior to the start of an action or event. Example: "Before we commenced the meeting, we reviewed the agenda to ensure everyone was prepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We asked the respondents about their knowledge related to heart attacks, risk factors of heart attacks and, importantly, theoretical knowledge on CPR as well as their attitude about different cardiac emergency scenarios before we commenced the CPR teaching program.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

We specified which data analyses we planned to do and how to do them before we commenced the work.

British Journal of Cancer

Before we commenced the Alcohol and Pregnancy Project in 2006, we committed to collaborating with CCRs in the research, not as a condition of funding, but to comply with the NHMRC statement on consumer participation in research [ 9], and to conduct good research practice [ 11, 16, 36].

Health Research Policy and Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But before we commence the Three Stooges-style whoop and slap attack that is Legacy's due, a bit of back story.

The New York Times

I was wondering when the shiny new GOP House majority might get down to some old-school funnin' and gunnin' over The Stuff That Upsets Them In The Culture, and as it turns out, we're not going to even wait for the lame-duck session to end before we commence this quackery.

Huffington Post

Blocks of flats: We would need any leaseholders to agree to taking on a Green Deal debt before we could commence a scheme ourselves for externally insulating a block.

The Guardian

Before we can commence, we need to find out what we're dealing with.

Vice

One explanation for this discrepancy may be that the images analyzed in both previous publications show zygotes at rather early developmental stages, that is, at pronuclear stages before we observe DNA demethylation to commence.

Epigenetics and Chromatin

Before data collection commenced we thoroughly reviewed the research objectives, research tools and specific data collection techniques to effectively and efficiently collect quality data.

BMC Public Health

We spent over twelve months submitting applications to five hospital ethics committees and seven funding bodies, before commencing the trial.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Let the engine cool before commencing any work!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before we commenced", consider your audience. In formal or academic writing, it's appropriate. For informal settings, consider alternatives like "before we started".

Common error

Avoid using "before we commenced" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "before we started" or "before we began".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we commenced" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the temporal relationship between two events. It specifies that an action or state occurred prior to the commencement of another action. Ludwig examples showcase this use in academic and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before we commenced" is grammatically correct and functions as an adverbial phrase to indicate a temporal relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While accurate, its formal tone makes it more appropriate for academic, scientific, or professional contexts, and less suitable for casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "before we started" are often preferable in informal settings. Analysis of usage patterns reveals that "before we commenced" most frequently appears in science and news & media publications. Remember to consider your audience and the desired level of formality when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to starting

Replaces "commenced" with the more common and less formal "starting".

before we began

Substitutes "commenced" with "began", offering a slightly more common alternative.

before we initiated

Replaces "commenced" with "initiated", keeping a similar level of formality.

previous to our commencement

Uses a noun form of commence "commencement" and restructures the sentence.

ahead of our start

Offers a less formal and more concise alternative using "start".

in advance of starting

Uses the phrase "in advance" to indicate the timing before the start.

leading up to our beginning

Emphasizes the period leading up to the start of something.

prior to the undertaking

Substitutes "we" with "the undertaking", making the phrase more impersonal.

before undertaking

A shortened, more concise version without the explicit "we".

previous to our launching

Replaces "commenced" with "launching" to suggest a new initiative or project.

FAQs

What does "before we commenced" mean?

The phrase "before we commenced" means prior to the time when we started or began something. It indicates a period preceding an action or event.

When is it appropriate to use "before we commenced"?

It is appropriate in formal writing, academic papers, or professional settings where a slightly elevated tone is suitable. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives are often preferred.

What can I say instead of "before we commenced"?

You can use alternatives like "before we started", "before we began", or "prior to starting" depending on the context.

Is "before we commenced" grammatically correct?

Yes, "before we commenced" is grammatically correct. However, its formality may not be suitable for all situations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.