commence thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commence thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate the beginning of a thought process or to encourage someone to start thinking about a particular topic. Example: "Before we proceed with the discussion, I would like everyone to commence thinking about the potential solutions to our current challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

After Edward Snowden's NSA leaks, artists really commenced thinking about and making sense of internet data mining, state surveillance, and privacy, such as Creator, Trevor Paglen.

Vice

Dr. Amit Sood tweets reminders intended to interrupt negative thoughts and commence positive thinking.

HuffPost

The video commences with Drew asking Swift, "Hey, are you gonna go to the game on Friday?" Swift responds, "Well, I was thinking about it.

Wikipedia

These misconceptions about Austrian thinking left the French army poorly deployed when hostilities commenced.

Wikipedia

But the "new thinking" of Mikhail S. Gorbachev, the former Soviet president, was not an aberration but the culmination of evolutionary changes that commenced with Stalin's death.

The New York Times

Records commence.

Cornell University

Minutes commence.

Cornell University

Let the laughter commence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let the game commence.

The New Yorker

Commence to dancing!

The Guardian - Film

The celebrations commence.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically sound, consider using more common alternatives like "begin thinking" or "start thinking" for better clarity and accessibility in general writing.

Common error

Avoid using "commence thinking" in informal contexts. It can sound stilted or unnatural compared to simpler options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commence thinking" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the initiation of a cognitive process. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its relatively infrequent usage suggests a preference for simpler alternatives.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "commence thinking" is grammatically correct but infrequent in modern usage. Ludwig AI highlights that while understandable, its formality often makes simpler alternatives like "begin thinking" or "start thinking" more suitable. The phrase serves to initiate a cognitive process, but its formal register restricts its applicability primarily to more formal or scientific contexts. Consider using it when a deliberate and slightly elevated tone is desired, but be mindful of the potential for sounding stilted in everyday conversation. While accurate, less frequent usage of it in the sources influences the overall perception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Begin thinking

Replaces "commence" with the more common and less formal "begin".

Start thinking

Substitutes "commence" with the extremely common and informal "start".

Initiate thinking

Uses "initiate" which is a more formal synonym for "commence", emphasizing the beginning of a process.

Embark on thinking

Employs "embark on" to suggest a more involved and deliberate beginning of the thought process.

Set about thinking

Indicates a deliberate and focused effort to start thinking about something.

Get started thinking

Uses "get started" which is an idiomatic and slightly less formal way to say "begin".

Turn one's mind to

Suggests directing one's thoughts towards a particular subject.

Apply oneself to thinking

Implies a focused and dedicated effort to begin thinking.

Give thought to

Suggests considering or contemplating something, starting the process of thinking about it.

Enter into a train of thought

Describes the commencement of an extended and connected thought process.

FAQs

What does "commence thinking" mean?

The phrase "commence thinking" means to begin the process of thinking or considering something. It's a more formal way of saying "begin thinking" or "start thinking".

How to use "commence thinking" in a sentence?

You can use "commence thinking" to instruct someone to begin considering a problem or idea. For example: "Before the meeting, please "commence thinking" about potential solutions."

What can I say instead of "commence thinking"?

You can use alternatives like "begin thinking", "start thinking", or "consider" depending on the context.

Is "commence thinking" too formal?

Yes, "commence thinking" can be perceived as overly formal in many situations. Simpler alternatives like "begin thinking" or "start thinking" are often more appropriate.