Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
commenced employment
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "commenced employment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate when someone began working a job. For example, "John commenced employment at Smith's Manufacturing on August 15th."
✓ Grammatically correct
Wikipedia
International Journal of Nursing Studies
BMC Public Health
BMC Nursing
Huffington Post
TechCrunch
BMC Medical Education
Forbes
The Guardian
The New Yorker
The New York Times
Britannica
The Washington Post
Annals of Intensive Care
Security Informatics
Life Sciences, Society and Policy
Vice
Duke University
The Guardian - Money
The Guardian - Sport
Cornell University
Los Angeles Times
Alternative expressions(20)
started working
began working
took up a position
joined the company
began employment
entered employment
secured employment
introduced employment
begun employment
commenced working
initiate employment
starting employment
start employment
started in the position
assumed the role
took office
joined the team
it took the job
embraced the opportunity
came into post
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Ponsford passed the exam and commenced employment with the State Savings Bank at the Elizabeth Street head office in early 1916.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Given low back pain is already prevalent before commencing employment, nursing students should be the target of preventative interventions.
Among staff surveyed, 13% were current smokers and 41% were ex-smokers (10% quit after commencing employment in the smoke-free hospital).
Science
Prior to one participant commencing employment, the general practice where she works had a "list of women who were waiting to have their Pap smear, once either a female doctor started or they had a [female] nurse doing it as well".
Science
"I disclosed all this to the FDIC before I commenced my employment there, and FDIC security personnel found me suitable for a government security clearance," he said.
News & Media
Relatively small numbers of staff were concerned about working in the smoke-free hospital before they commenced their employment.
Science
The GSUs will vest at a rate of 100% on the date 12 months after Patrick commences employment.
News & Media
The GSUs will vest at a rate of 100% on the date six months after Patrick commences employment.
News & Media
In accordance with Google's standard equity grant policies, Patrick's options and GSUs will be granted on the first Wednesday after Patrick commences employment with Google.
News & Media
The stock option will vest at a rate of 25% on the date one year after Patrick commences employment and will vest an additional 2.083% each month thereafter, for a total vesting period of 48 months.
News & Media
The GSUs will vest at a rate of 25% on the date one year after Patrick commences employment and will vest an additional 25% each year thereafter, for a total vesting period of four years.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "commenced employment" in formal or official documents where a more elevated tone is appropriate. For general conversation, consider alternatives like "started working".
Common error
Avoid using "commenced employment" in casual conversation. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives such as "started working" or "began the job".
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "commenced employment" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of a work relationship. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in formal contexts, aligning with the observation that it's a more elevated way to describe the start of employment.
Frequent in
Science
30%
News & Media
30%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
10%
Wiki
5%
Academia
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "commenced employment" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase best suited for formal contexts to indicate the beginning of a job. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples in various domains, mainly science, news, and business. While semantically clear, it is less common than alternatives like "started working" and should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal. Given its infrequent usage, it's essential to consider the audience and context before opting for "commenced employment".
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
began employment
Replaces "commenced" with the more common synonym "began".
started working
Uses the simpler term "started" and "working" instead of "employment".
began working
Similar to 'started working' but using "began" which may be slightly more formal.
took up employment
Emphasizes the action of accepting a job.
assumed a position
Focuses on the formal acceptance of a role.
entered employment
Suggests a transition into the state of being employed.
started in a role
Highlights the initiation of a specific job.
initiated employment
Uses a more formal term, "initiated" for "commenced".
embarked on employment
Suggests beginning a journey or new phase of working.
secured employment
Focuses on successfully gaining a job.
FAQs
What does "commenced employment" mean?
The phrase "commenced employment" means that someone has started a job or begun working for an employer. It's a formal way of saying that someone has "started working".
When is it appropriate to use "commenced employment"?
The phrase "commenced employment" is best suited for formal settings such as legal documents, official correspondence, or when maintaining a professional tone. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "began working" or "started a job" are more appropriate.
What are some alternatives to "commenced employment"?
Some alternatives to "commenced employment" include "began working", "started working", "took up a position", or "joined the company". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.
How does the formality of "commenced employment" compare to "started working"?
"Commenced employment" is more formal than "started working". The verb "commenced" carries a more official or elevated tone compared to "started", making it suitable for professional or legal documents, while "started working" is appropriate for everyday conversation.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested