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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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commenced free

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commenced free" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of starting something without cost, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "The event commenced free of charge, allowing everyone to participate without any fees."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

India has now commenced free first-line treatment for 340,000 Indian PLHIV, but many patients have for some time self-funded treatment by private practitioners.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A temporary dialysis catheter was placed and the patient commenced heparin-free hemodialysis within 90min of arrival.

Such negotiations then was to trigger the need for consultations with Australia and New Zealand and negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between those FICs who commenced negotiations for free trade agreements with other developed countries and Australia and New Zealand (Gathii 2011, Gupta 2008).

The study subjects included five additional coeliac patients (3 males, 2 females, mean age 60 years): samples taken before they had commenced a gluten free diet and after dietary treatment (mean 7 years) were investigated.

(Grade C) Patients may commence gluten-free oats at diagnosis.

Science

Gut

All patients were seen by a trained dietitian and commenced a gluten-free diet; seven patients (88%) demonstrated improvement in either their serological abnormalities or their presenting clinical features on a gluten-free diet.

Days later, players signed off on the agreement, too, and a frenzy of free agency commenced.

News & Media

The New York Times

The Fins also wasted no time in snapping up former Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl offensive tackle Branden Albert, announcing a deal minutes after free agency commenced at 4pm on Tuesday.

Construction on the wood and fiber E. V. Buchsbaum design began on a budget of $12,500 $$ in today's dollars), and the opening of free concerts commenced on August 24 , 1931

In Australia, a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) utilising Faecal Occult Blood Testing FOBTT) commenced in 2006 providing free screening to all adults aged 50, 55 and 65 years.

However, recently, many groups have commenced utilizing sphere (serum-free medium) or colony-forming assays as attractive surrogates in vitro.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey that something starts without a charge, use more explicit and common phrases such as "started at no cost" or "began free of charge" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid directly appending "free" to "commenced" as it doesn't clearly indicate the intended meaning of 'without cost'. Instead, ensure the phrase clearly specifies what is being offered without charge.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commenced free" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is not standard English. More common and grammatically sound alternatives should be considered to convey the intended meaning of starting something without cost.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "commenced free" might seem like a straightforward way to indicate something started without cost, it is not grammatically sound and lacks clarity. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect in standard written English. It is better to opt for more explicit and commonly accepted alternatives, such as "started at no cost" or "began free of charge", to ensure your message is clear and grammatically correct. When aiming for formal contexts, be especially cautious and prefer alternatives like "initiated without payment".

FAQs

How can I express that something started without any cost?

Instead of "commenced free", you can use phrases like "started at no cost", "began free of charge", or "initiated without payment" to clearly indicate that there is no fee involved.

Is "commenced free" grammatically correct?

No, "commenced free" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternatives that clearly express the meaning, such as "started without charge".

What's a more formal way to say something began without cost?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "initiated without payment" or "inaugurated at no expense" instead of "commenced free".

Can I use "commenced free" in professional writing?

It's generally not advisable to use "commenced free" in professional writing. Opt for clearer and more widely accepted alternatives like "began on a complimentary basis" or "launched free of charge".

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Most frequent sentences: