commence hostilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commence hostilities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to warfare, conflict, or competitive situations where one side is about to start an aggressive action. Example: "After months of escalating tensions, the two nations finally decided to commence hostilities, leading to a full-scale war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She reveled in her unabashed willingness to commence hostilities.

The New York Times - Books

Consisting of formal trials of strength between the main forces of both sides, often enough battles resulted from a kind of tacit mutual consent to commence hostilities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Red Wings and Stars commence hostilities at the Joe and the biggest news has nothing to do with Marty Turco or Brenden Morrow, Chris Osgood or Johan Franzen.

The New York Times

But Mr Briggs knew only two months of quiet before he was ordered to hoist flag "E" and "show up 46": "Commence hostilities against Germany".He had not joined the Royal Navy to fight.

The Economist

Dale was authorized to commence hostilities at his discretion if any Barbary State had declared war by the time of his arrival.

Wikipedia

"As the president possess[es] the Commander-in-Chief and Executive powers alone," Yoo wrote at the time, "Congress cannot constitutionally restrict or regulate the president's decision to commence hostilities or to direct the military, once engaged.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We should remember that Hitler accused the Poles of commencing hostilities".

The New York Times

The manager was the one who commenced hostilities, for a start, replying to an innocent question about Touré's availability for an EFL Cup match with a devastating critique of Seluk and his impertinence.

The Guardian - Sport

We should remember that Hitler accused the Poles of commencing hostilities in 1939, just as Stalin pinned the blame on the Finns when he invaded their country in 1940.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps, in your mind's eye, you even see him donning a costume as he commences hostilities, though you occasionally wonder what exactly such a costume would look like.

The New York Times

On the initiative of the German naval attaché Paul Wenneker, a copy was given to the Japanese; it provided valuable intelligence prior to their commencing hostilities against the Western Powers.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commence hostilities" in formal writing when you want to emphasize the official beginning of a conflict or dispute. It adds a serious and deliberate tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "commence hostilities" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or even pompous. Simpler phrases like "start fighting" or "begin the conflict" are more appropriate in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commence hostilities" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the beginning of a conflict or act of war. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It sets a serious and formal tone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commence hostilities" is a formal and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the beginning of a conflict or war. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in news reports, encyclopedias, and wiki articles, signaling a serious and deliberate tone. While alternatives like "initiate hostilities" or "begin fighting" exist, "commence hostilities" adds a distinct level of formality. Overusing it in informal contexts should be avoided to prevent sounding overly pompous. It clearly marks the starting point of warfare, making it suitable for formal documentation and historical accounts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiate hostilities

Replaces "commence" with "initiate", maintaining a formal tone and similar meaning.

begin fighting

Uses simpler language to convey the start of conflict.

start a war

Focuses specifically on the commencement of war, a more specific form of hostility.

trigger conflict

Highlights the action that leads to conflict breaking out.

open fire

Emphasizes the beginning of armed conflict, specifically shooting.

engage in warfare

Focuses on the active participation in war from the beginning.

unleash aggression

Emphasizes the release of aggressive actions.

break out in war

Highlights the suddenness of the war's start.

start a battle

Describes the start of a single, contained battle.

go to war

Simplifies the expression to a direct statement of entering a state of war.

FAQs

What does "commence hostilities" mean?

The phrase "commence hostilities" means to begin or start an act of warfare or conflict. It implies a formal or deliberate initiation of aggressive actions.

What can I say instead of "commence hostilities"?

You can use alternatives like "initiate hostilities", "begin fighting", or "start a war" depending on the context.

Is "commence hostilities" a formal expression?

Yes, "commence hostilities" is a formal expression typically used in official or serious contexts, such as historical accounts, legal documents, or news reports. It is less common in everyday conversation.

How to use "commence hostilities" in a sentence?

You can use "commence hostilities" in a sentence like this: "After failed negotiations, the nation decided to commence hostilities against its neighbor."