commenced building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commenced building" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the beginning of a construction project or the act of starting to build something. Example: "The city has officially commenced building the new community center, which is expected to be completed by next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Some of the stadia have commenced building," he said through a translator.

The New York Times - Sports

Duṭṭhagāmaṇī constructed the 1,600-pillared 1,600-pillaredin Anurādhapura and commenced Brazenng the Ruanveli dāgaba, a colossal stuPalacerine) contAnurādhapurauddhand begging bowl and many of his bones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not long after the Soviet collapse, in 1991, a former Communist Party hack named Saparmurat Niyazov became President-for-life, dubbed himself Turkmenbashi — Leader of All the Turkmen — and commenced building the strangest, most tragicomic cult of personality on the Eurasian landmass.

The New Yorker

Not long after the Soviet collapse, in 1991, a former Communist Party hack named Saparmurat Niyazov became President-for-life, dubbed himself Turkmenbashi Leader of All the Turkmen and commenced building the strangest, most tragicomic cult of personality on the Eurasian landmass.

The New Yorker

The group grew to 13 families, who in 1886 declared themselves a community and commenced building a synagogue.

Wikipedia

By mid-November 2013, both BAE and General Dynamics designs had passed Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), but neither company had commenced building prototypes.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

(b) A new affected source of this subpart is an affected source that commenced construction or reconstruction after November 7, 2000.

Cornell University

Amin promptly expelled all Israelis from the country, installed the Palestine Liberation Organization in the former Israeli Embassy, and commenced construction of a giant mosque in downtown Kampala.

The New Yorker

Seeking to leverage expiring 421A tax benefits, a number of developers commenced construction on new projects in 2015 and 2016.

Forbes

F.C. United had to overcome some obstacles including funding agreements, contractor and lease negotiations and a legal challenge from local residents which caused a further two-year delay before building commenced in November 2013.

Wikipedia

Outcome measures   < Day 2 Commenced > Day 2 Commenced P value Total no.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "commenced building" with more common alternatives like "began building" or "started construction" in less formal contexts to maintain readability.

Common error

Avoid using "commenced building" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound stilted and out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "started building" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commenced building" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of a construction activity. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a grammatically correct phrase. It's used to describe the initiation of a building process, highlighting the action of starting to construct something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

14%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commenced building" is a grammatically sound phrase best suited for formal contexts, as validated by Ludwig. While less common in everyday speech, it effectively communicates the initiation of a construction process in reports, historical accounts, and official documentation. As Ludwig AI suggests, simpler alternatives like "started building" are preferable for informal situations. Its usage spans across News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki sources, reflecting its appropriateness for informative and factual content. Keep in mind its formal tone and choose simpler alternatives in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began construction

Emphasizes the start of the overall construction process rather than the specific act of building.

commenced with construction

Rephrases "commenced building" to include 'with', focusing on the action itself.

initiated construction

Highlights the formal beginning or launch of a construction project.

started to build

A more straightforward and common way to express the beginning of a building activity.

began erecting

Focuses on the act of putting up or constructing a structure.

undertook construction

Indicates that the building project has been formally taken on or committed to.

started erecting

Similar to "began erecting" but with a slightly more casual tone.

embarked on construction

Suggests a significant undertaking or investment in a building project.

laid the foundation

Focuses on the initial stage of building, the establishment of a base.

broke ground

Refers to the ceremonial beginning of construction, often with an official event.

FAQs

What does "commenced building" mean?

"Commenced building" means to have started or begun the process of constructing a structure or building. It's a more formal way of saying "started building".

Is it better to say "commenced building" or "started building"?

The choice depends on the context. "Commenced building" is more formal and suitable for official or historical documents. "Started building" is more common and appropriate for everyday language. Using "started to build" may also fit the context.

What are some alternatives to "commenced building"?

Alternatives include "began construction", "started building", "initiated construction", or "started to build", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what context is it appropriate to use "commenced building"?

Use "commenced building" in formal writing, reports, historical accounts, or any situation where a more elevated and official tone is desired. For informal contexts, use "started building".