commenced at

USAGE SUMMARY

"commenced at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the beginning of some action or process at a specific point in time. For example: "The trial commenced at 10:00am on December 19th, 2020."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The interview commenced at 10.55pm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our match commenced at midnight.

The New Yorker

The making of the chilli always commenced at 2pm.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Indeed, when the caucuses commenced at noon, it was a curious scene.

The New York Times

The immigration department confirmed to Guardian Australia the AFP investigation was commenced at its request.

The Guardian

The performance commenced at 6 P.M. that Monday and continued to the following day's lunch hour.

The New Yorker

The media cheerleading commenced at once: "Karen, you're making a decision you will never regret.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps it commenced at the end of the northern summer and southern winter of 2001.

The Guardian - Books

To this end, intensive and determined negotiations must be commenced at once.

The New York Times

The radio day commenced at 6 A.M. First, the Soviet anthem, then "Govorit Moskva...".

The New Yorker

The radio day commenced at 6 A.M. First, the Soviet anthem, then "Govorit Moskva... ..... ("Moscow speaking").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commenced at" to denote the precise beginning of a specific action, event, or process, especially in formal or technical writing. For instance, "The experiment commenced at precisely 8:00 AM."

Common error

Avoid using "commenced at" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "started at" or "began at" are often more appropriate and sound less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commenced at" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating the specific time or point at which an action or event began. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commenced at" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the starting point of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal contexts, especially in scientific and news-related content. While "commenced at" is quite common, remember that more informal alternatives like "began at" or "started at" may be more appropriate in casual settings. While authoritative sources frequently employ it, overuse in casual conversation could sound unnatural. Proper context is key to using "commenced at" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began at

Replaces "commenced" with a simpler synonym, "began", maintaining the same meaning.

started at

Substitutes "commenced" with "started", offering a more informal alternative with identical meaning.

initiated at

Uses "initiated" as a synonym for "commenced", providing a slightly more formal tone.

kicked off at

Replaces "commenced" with the idiomatic expression "kicked off", which is less formal.

got underway at

Uses the phrase "got underway" to indicate the beginning, suitable for processes or activities.

was launched at

Implies a formal or planned start, using "launched" as a synonym for "commenced".

originated at

Suggests the starting point or source of something, where "commenced" indicates a beginning.

came into effect at

Indicates when a rule, law, or agreement started to be applied, distinct from a general beginning.

was inaugurated at

Implies a formal commencement, especially for institutions or projects.

dates from

Specifies the historical starting point, differing from the immediate action implied by "commenced at".

FAQs

How can I use "commenced at" in a sentence?

Use "commenced at" to indicate the precise starting point of an event, process, or activity. For example, "The meeting "commenced at" 10:00 AM."

What's a less formal way to say "commenced at"?

You can use phrases like "began at" or "started at" as more casual alternatives to "commenced at".

Is "commenced at" suitable for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "commenced at" is more appropriate for formal, technical, or professional writing. In informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives.

What is the difference between "commenced at" and "initiated at"?

"Commenced at" typically refers to the beginning of an event or process. "Initiated at" implies the start of a new project, phase, or undertaking.