commence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'commence' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate the start of something. For example: The ceremony will commence at 4 o'clock.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He's close behind Tessa Jowell, whose Tessa for Londoners charm offensive is to commence next week.

The Guardian

"First and foremost, I have already asked my department to work with Victorian government officials and commence a review and update of the Leadbeater's possum draft recovery plan," he said.

The Guardian

"It is important to get these amendments through to give industry certainty over projects that are due to commence.

The Guardian

This week's appalling Obama administration decision to let Shell commence drilling in the Arctic sea says less about that administration, which swings whichever way it's pushed, than that we didn't push harder than the oil industry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Battle will commence next month to become the UK's second national digital radio multiplex operator, the prize asset Channel 4 wants to win for its launch into the sector.

The Guardian - Business

Stage four, which will commence a week before the exams, consists of doing past papers.

The Guardian

Nominations can be made from June 1, the contest proper will commence on July 8 and the winner will be announced on September 2. Candidates to be put on the assembly member "party list", elected by a complex form of proportional representation, will emerge from the same timetable.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Annington has commenced court proceedings to obtain a possession order so that it can evict the squatters and take back possession of the property.

The Guardian

My girlfriend – bless her heart – grabbed her MacBook and commenced shopping.

The Guardian - Sport

Debating the move in the House of Commons in 2003, Kennedy set out his position: There stands no contradiction between giving voice to legitimate anxiety and at the same time, as and when exchange of fire commences, looking to the rest of the country, as well as all of us in the house, to give full moral support to our forces.

The Guardian

Although the league chairmen agreed to the proposal, and each club knew the situation at the start of the campaign, it didn't stop the complaints as the first end of season nail-biters commenced in May 1987.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commence" in formal contexts where a more sophisticated tone is desired over simpler alternatives like "begin" or "start".

Common error

Avoid using "commence" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound pretentious or overly formal. Opt for more natural alternatives in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "commence" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the action of beginning or starting something. Ludwig examples show it is often used in formal contexts to denote the initiation of events, processes, or periods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commence" is a verb that signifies the beginning of something, carrying a more formal tone than synonyms like "begin" or "start". According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and most appropriate in formal contexts such as news reports, academic papers, and official announcements. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in informal settings to avoid sounding pretentious. The prevalence of "commence" in reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its acceptance in formal writing. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that understanding its appropriate register is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin

A general-purpose synonym for starting an action or process.

start

A common and straightforward alternative for initiating something.

initiate

Implies a more formal or official beginning.

kick off

An informal way to say something is starting, often used for events.

get underway

Suggests that a process or activity is now in motion.

set in motion

Emphasis is that a course of action has been activated.

launch

Implies a formal or significant beginning, often for projects or products.

embark on

Suggests starting a journey or endeavor.

open

Often used for events, ceremonies, or establishments.

trigger

To initiate or set off an event or action.

FAQs

How to use "commence" in a sentence?

You can use "commence" to indicate the start of something, often in a formal setting. For example, "The ceremony will "begin" at 4 o'clock" can be rephrased as "The ceremony will "commence" at 4 o'clock".

What can I say instead of "commence"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "begin", "start", or "initiate". Choose the word that best fits the tone and formality of your writing.

Which is correct, "commence" or "begin"?

"Commence" and "begin" are both correct, but "commence" is generally considered more formal. Use "commence" in situations where a higher level of formality is appropriate.

What's the difference between "commence" and "start"?

While "commence" and "start" both mean to begin, "commence" carries a stronger sense of formality and is often used in official or ceremonial contexts, whereas "start" is more versatile and can be used in almost any situation.