commence watching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commence watching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the start of an activity, particularly in contexts related to viewing or observing something, such as a film or event. Example: "Once the clock strikes eight, we will commence watching the movie together."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thai children commenced watching television at an early age and the amount of television viewing time increased by age.

BMC Pediatrics

Ten minutes before the rally was set to commence, I watched from a distance as two clearly overwhelmed people struggled to set up home base.

Vice

As we waited for the ceremony to commence, I watched in horror as a vaping man cast lascivious sideways glances at a gaggle of 13-year-old girls in braces and bandage dresses.

Vice

Having returned yesterday evening from melancholy business overseas, I commenced my re-engagement with the capital's democratic process by watching a live quarreling contest on the BBC.

The Guardian

People were still watching the screen as the closing ceremonies of the show commenced.

Huffington Post

Like many people, I watched it all commence on television.

The New York Times

This month, the TV show's fourth season commenced, and its opening episode was watched by 16.11m viewers − five million more than the equivalent episode the season before.

BBC

From 4 44 to 4 47 we watched commercials, and at 4 47 there commenced the literary part of the discussion, which lasted until 4 52.

The New Yorker

Players were asked to "watch your coccyxes" before the match commenced.

Wikipedia

"Then on the feast of St. Joseph, I watched helplessly in despair as a horrible bombardment of Baghdad commenced.

Huffington Post

Christians needn't watch for the end times, because they know they've already commenced with the resurrection of Jesus.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commence watching" when aiming for a slightly more formal or deliberate tone than alternatives like "start watching". It's suitable for written contexts where precision in language is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "commence watching" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted when simpler alternatives are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commence watching" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action. It's a more formal way to express the beginning of a viewing activity, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "commence watching" is a grammatically correct way to express the beginning of a viewing activity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While "commence watching" is less common in everyday conversation, it finds its place in written contexts where a slightly more formal tone is desired. Alternatives such as "start watching" or "begin watching" are more frequently used in informal settings. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for news and media, as well as scientific contexts, though its overall frequency remains relatively rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin watching

Uses a more common synonym for "commence", making the phrase less formal.

start watching

Employs a simpler and more frequently used verb, resulting in a more casual tone.

initiate viewing

Replaces "watching" with "viewing", adding a slightly more formal tone.

start viewing

Combines a simple verb with a more formal noun, creating a neutral tone.

begin viewing

Similar to "start viewing" but uses a slightly more elevated verb.

get started watching

Adds an introductory element, emphasizing the act of starting the viewing process.

kick off watching

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the start of watching, making it informal.

open with watching

Suggests that watching is the initial activity in a series of actions.

set about watching

Implies a deliberate and planned approach to watching something.

get down to watching

Indicates a focus and concentration on the act of watching.

FAQs

What does "commence watching" mean?

The phrase "commence watching" means to begin or start watching something, such as a movie, a show, or an event. It suggests the initiation of the viewing process.

When is it appropriate to use "commence watching"?

It's appropriate to use "commence watching" when you want to sound slightly more formal or deliberate than using alternatives like "start watching" or "begin watching". It fits well in written communication where precise language is valued.

What are some alternatives to "commence watching"?

Some alternatives to "commence watching" include "start watching", "begin watching", "initiate viewing", and "start viewing". The choice depends on the desired level of formality.

Is "commence watching" commonly used in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "commence watching" is not as common in everyday conversation as simpler alternatives. It's more frequently found in written contexts or situations where a more formal tone is preferred. Consider using "start watching" or "begin watching" for casual settings.