commence something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commence something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the beginning of an action or process. Example: "We will commence the meeting at 10 AM sharp."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm specifically thinking about press releases that commence with something like "Initech, the largest manufacturer of red staplers engraved with our company logo, has just won the Buzo Award for the most uncreative use of the word 'largest' in the history of mankind".

TechCrunch

She refers to a trip she took as "this crazy loop through West Africa," commencing with something she terms a "ghost train".

The New York Times

Once you commence working on something and then walk away, you continue to work on whatever it is.

Huffington Post

Look for the tide to turn before longand for the saving rate to commence a steady rise, something like a percentage point yearly for a decade.

Forbes

"He was one of those men who could talk articulately about anything -- food or movies or music or current events -- but you could discern in the middle of his conversation that he had commenced to brood about something else that was not making its way into the mix.

The New York Times - Books

But this could not last long, and soon I commenced to look around for something to do.

The New Yorker

Recognizing that this was likely something novel, David commenced with describing it as a new form.

HuffPost

Requisite Platitude: "To commence is to begin, to start something new, to enter new terrain, to launch a career begun here, at Rutgers".

The New Yorker

Caroline then commenced her house tour, which went something like this: "Here is the dining room, which we are never in.

The New York Times

A test of the alarm system commenced — beep, beep, beep — which reminded him of something.

The New Yorker

You can type something like the following: "The Partnership shall commence on [insert date].

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commence something", consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. While grammatically correct, "commence" is more formal than alternatives like "begin" or "start". Choose the word that best fits the context.

Common error

Avoid using "commence" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formality can sound stilted or pretentious in such settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "begin" or "start" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commence something" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action or process. Based on Ludwig's analysis, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, albeit with a somewhat formal tone.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Wiki

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Academia

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Less common in

Formal & Business

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Science

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Encyclopedias

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commence something" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the start of an action or process. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is valid, although more formal than other similar options. While versatile, it's best suited for professional or academic contexts where a more elevated tone is appropriate. Simpler alternatives like "begin something" or "start something" may be more suitable for informal settings. Due to the limited data, the frequency and specific usage contexts remain unclear, so consider your audience when determining to use the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin something

Replaces "commence" with the more common synonym "begin", resulting in a less formal tone.

start something

Uses "start" as a more casual alternative to "commence", making the phrase more accessible.

initiate something

Substitutes "commence" with "initiate", maintaining a formal tone and emphasizing the act of setting something in motion.

embark on something

Replaces the simple act of beginning with a sense of adventure or a significant undertaking.

undertake something

Shifts the focus to the responsibility and effort involved in beginning a task.

launch something

Implies a more deliberate and public beginning, such as a product or campaign.

set about something

Suggests a methodical and intentional approach to beginning a task.

get something underway

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the start of an activity.

kick something off

Employs an informal, energetic expression for starting something, often an event or project.

inaugurate something

Indicates a formal or ceremonial beginning, typically used for institutions or programs.

FAQs

What does "commence something" mean?

"Commence something" means to begin or start something. It's a more formal way of expressing the initiation of an action or process.

How to use "commence something" in a sentence?

You can use "commence something" to indicate the start of an activity, like "We will "begin something" immediately" or "They plan to "start something" new next week".

What can I say instead of "commence something"?

You can use alternatives like ""begin something"", ""start something"", or "initiate something depending on the context.

Is "commence something" formal or informal?

"Commence something" is generally considered a more formal way to say ""begin something"" or ""start something"". Use it in professional or academic settings where a more elevated tone is appropriate.