commence building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commence building" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the start of a construction project or the beginning of a building process. Example: "After receiving the necessary permits, we will commence building the new community center next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Only when the developer was about to commence building could the bank get involved — and then only to make construction loans.

The New York Times

Panetta believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June — before Iran enters what Israelis described as a "zone of immunity" to commence building a nuclear bomb.

The Washington Post

Panetta believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June, before Iran enters what Israelis describe as a zone of immunity to commence building a nuclear bomb.'" Well? "I usually don't comment on columnists' ideas about what I'm thinking," Mr. Panetta replied, chuckling.

The New York Times

By mid-1839 the funds received were thought to be sufficient to commence building.

Wikipedia

But the Model 3, which Tesla will commence building soon and hopes to begin delivering in late 2017, will not.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Some of the stadia have commenced building," he said through a translator.

The New York Times - Sports

Not long after the Soviet collapse, in 1991, a former Communist Party hack named Saparmurat Niyazov became President-for-life, dubbed himself Turkmenbashi — Leader of All the Turkmen — and commenced building the strangest, most tragicomic cult of personality on the Eurasian landmass.

The New Yorker

Not long after the Soviet collapse, in 1991, a former Communist Party hack named Saparmurat Niyazov became President-for-life, dubbed himself Turkmenbashi Leader of All the Turkmen and commenced building the strangest, most tragicomic cult of personality on the Eurasian landmass.

The New Yorker

Duṭṭhagāmaṇī constructed the 1,600-pillared 1,600-pillaredin Anurādhapura and commenced Brazenng the Ruanveli dāgaba, a colossal stuPalacerine) contAnurādhapurauddhand begging bowl and many of his bones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The group grew to 13 families, who in 1886 declared themselves a community and commenced building a synagogue.

Wikipedia

By mid-November 2013, both BAE and General Dynamics designs had passed Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), but neither company had commenced building prototypes.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "commence building" can lend a professional tone when referring to the beginning of a construction project. Ensure that the context aligns with this level of formality.

Common error

Avoid using "commence building" in informal contexts or everyday conversation. Simpler alternatives like "start building" or "begin construction" are more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commence building" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of a construction activity. It is typically used to denote the start of a project in a planned and deliberate manner, Ludwig confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commence building" is a verb phrase that signifies the start of a construction project. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and best suited for formal contexts, lending a professional tone. While less common in everyday conversation, it's appropriately used in news articles, encyclopedias, and official documentation. Alternatives like "start building" or "begin construction" are suitable substitutes in less formal settings. The frequency of "commence building" is rare, but its specific connotation can be useful when a degree of formality is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin construction

Replaces "commence" with the more common "begin".

start building

Uses the simpler word "start" instead of "commence".

initiate construction

Substitutes "commence" with "initiate", maintaining a formal tone.

undertake building

Emphasizes the act of taking on the building project.

embark on construction

Highlights the beginning of a significant building endeavor.

set about building

Indicates a deliberate and planned start to building.

get down to building

Suggests a practical and focused approach to starting building.

launch construction

Implies a formal and organized commencement of building.

start the building process

Expands the phrase to emphasize the entire process.

break ground on construction

Uses an idiomatic expression for starting construction, referring to the initial excavation.

FAQs

What does "commence building" mean?

The phrase "commence building" means to begin or start the process of constructing a structure or building.

When is it appropriate to use "commence building"?

It is appropriate to use "commence building" in formal or professional contexts where a more elevated tone is desired. For less formal situations, alternatives like "start building" or "begin construction" might be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "commence building"?

Some alternatives to "commence building" include "start building", "begin construction", and "initiate construction".

Is "commence building" more formal than "start building"?

Yes, "commence building" is generally considered more formal than "start building". "Commence" is a more formal synonym for "start" or "begin".