commence working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commence working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to starting an activity or job. For example: "After their training, the new employees were ready to commence working."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The submission says G4S staff "were subject to intensive training programs before they were allowed to commence working at the centre", but several whistleblowers who worked at the centre have contradicted these claims.

The Guardian

There's a remarkable contingent of inmates who upon incarceration immediately commence working out, aka gettin' money.

Vice

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

Huffington Post

Graduates commence working as junior doctors in January.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Iono_WG commenced working in June 1998.

Advances in Space Research

Far more readily that U.S. courts so soon after independence Zambian courts have commenced working with their own precedents.

Cornell University

The group had just commenced working when they were attacked by a band of Kickapoo warriors.

Wikipedia

The Combined Policy Committee ratified the proposals in December 1943, by which time several British scientists had already commenced working on the Manhattan Project in the United States.

Wikipedia

Further research is needed to assess the predictive validity of the UKCAT against professional and behavioural outcomes as the cohort commences working life.

BMC Medical Education

FAO commences work on genetic resources, in pursuit of objectives to alleviate poverty and end hunger and malnutrition by promoting sustainable agriculture and sustainable use of natural resources.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

He died while about to commence work on the cupola of the Hôtel des Invalides.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commence working" when a more formal or official tone is desired. It adds a sense of gravity to the start of an activity.

Common error

Avoid using "commence working" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "start working" or "begin work" in less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commence working" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the beginning of an action or activity related to work. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "commence working" is a grammatically correct way to indicate the beginning of a work-related activity, as validated by Ludwig AI. While less common than alternatives like "start working" or "begin work", it offers a more formal tone suitable for professional and official contexts. Ludwig examples show its presence in areas like news, science, and academia. When deciding to use this phrase, consider the desired level of formality and choose simpler options for casual communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin work

This alternative uses a more common and straightforward verb, "begin", instead of "commence".

start working

This option replaces "commence" with "start", making the phrase less formal and more conversational.

initiate work

This alternative focuses on the act of starting or launching a project or task, highlighting the initial phase of work.

get to work

This phrase is more informal and implies a sense of eagerness or readiness to start working.

undertake employment

This is a more formal alternative, suitable for official documents or professional settings, emphasizing the act of engaging in paid work.

set about working

Implies a deliberate and organized approach to starting work.

embark on a job

This alternative emphasizes the beginning of a new and possibly challenging job or task.

take up duties

This alternative emphasizes the start of responsibilities or tasks, often in a professional context.

kick off operations

This phrase is suitable for describing the start of a business or organizational activity.

get down to business

A colloquial phrase indicating a shift to serious work.

FAQs

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

You can use "commence working" when referring to the beginning of a job, task, or activity, especially in formal contexts. For example, "Employees will "commence working" after completing their training."

What's a less formal way to say "commence working"?

Less formal alternatives to "commence working" include "start working", "begin work", or "get to work".

In what kind of writing is "commence working" most appropriate?

"Commence working" is best suited for formal writing, official announcements, or professional communications where a more serious or elevated tone is desired.

What is the difference between "commence working" and "begin working"?

While both phrases mean to start working, "commence working" is generally perceived as more formal than "begin working". The choice depends on the desired tone and context of your writing.