commence upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"commence upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean beginning something, especially a task or job. For example, "The project will commence upon receipt of the necessary materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The salary of a chief of mission shall commence upon the effective date of appointment to that position.

Cornell University

In addition, the sentences imposed were ordered to commence upon completion of the five-year sentence in the conspiracy case.

Cornell University

The sentences were to run concurrently and were to commence upon her release from custody following execution of the five-year sentence imposed on the conspiracy charge.

Cornell University

The time periods commence upon receipt of a full set of documents and are suspended if negotiations are taking place between the parties and the Ministry.

Columbia University

Petitioner had in the meantime, on August 8, 1952, been adjudged guilty of eleven criminal contempts for her eleven refusals to answer on June 30, and she was sentenced by the District Court to eleven one-year terms of imprisonment, to run concurrently and to commence upon the completion of petitioner's imprisonment for the conspiracy.

Cornell University

The District Court held petitioner in contempt of court for each refusal to answer, and imposed 11 concurrent sentences of one year each, which were to commence upon the petitioner's release from custody following execution of the five-year sentence imposed in the conspiracy case.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

[The girl] also stated she was experiencing difficulty sleeping and intense feelings of fear, which she identified commenced upon her entry into detention".

The Guardian

Certain profanities almost always commenced upon smooshing the gas pedal.

TechCrunch

Restricted stock units vest over a three (3) or four (4) year period in equal annual installments commencing upon the first anniversary of the grant date subject to the continuous active service of the grantee.

TechCrunch

The Collaborative Case officially commences upon the execution of the Collaborative Commitment Agreement ("CCA"), which occurs at the CCA meeting that is attended by both spouses and all professional team members.

HuffPost

However, in the case when RA exposure commenced upon cell plating, neither model performed well.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commence upon" in formal writing where you want to convey a sense of authority or precision regarding the start of an event. For instance, in legal documents or official reports.

Common error

Avoid using "commence upon" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "start after" or "begin when" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commence upon" functions as a temporal marker, indicating the point in time when an action or event will begin. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase often introduces a condition or event that triggers the start of something else.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

35%

Science

33%

News & Media

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commence upon" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the beginning of an action or event, contingent on a specific condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most appropriate in formal and scientific contexts, such as academic papers, legal documents, and official reports. Simpler alternatives are generally preferred for informal use. Its function is to provide clarity on the timing and conditions that trigger the commencement of something. While "commence upon" may not be as common as simpler alternatives, its use is well-supported in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiate upon

This phrase substitutes "commence" with "initiate", implying a more formal or official beginning.

start upon

Replaces "commence" with the more common "start", making it less formal.

begin upon

Uses "begin" instead of "commence", resulting in a slightly less formal tone.

launch upon

Implies a more significant or energetic start than "commence upon".

embark upon

Suggests a start with a sense of adventure or a major undertaking.

trigger upon

Focuses on the event that sets off something else, emphasizing cause and effect.

activate upon

Emphasizes the start of a process or mechanism upon a specific condition.

instigate upon

Suggests causing something to start, often with implications of taking action.

take effect upon

Highlights the moment something becomes operational or legally binding.

be contingent upon

Shifts the focus to the condition that must be met for something to start.

FAQs

What does "commence upon" mean?

"Commence upon" means to begin or start something, often after a specific condition is met. It's a formal way of saying "start after" or "begin when".

How can I use "commence upon" in a sentence?

You can use "commence upon" to indicate when an action or process will begin. For example: "The project will commence upon receiving final approval."

What are some alternatives to "commence upon"?

Alternatives to "commence upon" include phrases like "initiate upon", "start upon", or "begin upon", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "commence upon"?

It is appropriate to use "commence upon" in formal contexts such as legal documents, official reports, or academic writing. In less formal settings, simpler alternatives are often preferred.