can commence

USAGE SUMMARY

"can commence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something will begin or start happening. For example, "We can commence the meeting once everyone arrives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Barring a miracle, their line-up can commence their summer vacations in 14 days time.

The Guardian - Sport

When the W Hollywood hotel opens in November, the junketing wars can commence.

The New York Times

With heat generated through friction, polishing of the grain surface can commence.

The Guardian - Sport

Before the petal downpour can commence, however, readers must put up with some bullying from Sifton.

The New Yorker

So that's it, everyone's paired off and Strictly 2017 can commence.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

By burning down forests companies can get access to the land and can commence industrial pulp and palm oil plantations.

The Guardian

"If the board refuses, he can commence a lawsuit in state court to recover the money," Mr. Brill said.

The New York Times

I still have one more job to do for my country and then after that, celebrations can commence".

The Guardian - Sport

"Many of these plans must be approved by the commonwealth minister before any works can commence," he said.

The Guardian

Final multidisciplinary review of the design and the project are completed within this phase, and once approved, implementation can commence.

Designing Successful Products with Plastics Fundamentals of Plastic Part Design

Before a hunt can commence the honey hunters are required to perform a ceremony to placate the cliff gods.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can commence" when indicating formal permission or possibility for an event or process to begin. It's often suitable in professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "can commence" in very informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "can start" or "can begin" would be more appropriate. The formality of "commence" might sound unnatural in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can commence" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating the possibility or permission for an action to begin. It is commonly used to express that something is allowed or able to start, often with the implication that certain conditions must be met first. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can commence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates the possibility or permission for something to begin. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a formal or professional register. While acceptable in various settings, it's best suited for situations where a degree of formality is appropriate. Remember to consider simpler alternatives like "can start" in informal settings to avoid sounding overly stilted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is allowed to begin

Focuses on allowance or lack of restriction.

may begin

Suggests possibility or likelihood rather than permission.

is permitted to initiate

Highlights the aspect of permission or authorization.

is free to start

Emphasizes the absence of impediments to beginning.

is able to start

Emphasizes the ability to initiate something.

is poised to begin

Suggests readiness and anticipation of starting.

can get underway

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate the start of something.

is set to launch

Implies a planned or scheduled commencement.

could be started

Indicates possibility or a hypothetical beginning.

might be initiated

Suggests a tentative or uncertain start.

FAQs

How to use "can commence" in a sentence?

"Can commence" indicates that something is permitted or able to begin. For example, "The meeting "can commence" once everyone is present."

What can I say instead of "can commence"?

You can use alternatives such as "may begin", "is allowed to begin", or "is able to start" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can commence" or "can start"?

Both "can commence" and "can start" are grammatically correct, but "can commence" is generally considered more formal. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "can commence" and "will commence"?

"Can commence" suggests permission or possibility, while "will commence" implies a definite future action. For example, "The project "can commence" when funding is approved," versus "The project "will commence" next month."