commenced to find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commenced to find" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "commenced" should be followed by a gerund or a noun, not "to find." Example: "She commenced searching for her lost keys."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The search has commenced to find this year's culinary connoisseurs.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The wolves commenced to sing.

The Guardian

Then he commenced to pace.

The New York Times

I commenced to perambulate away, but I felt so awful.

The New Yorker

She now commenced to practise her husband's precepts.

The Guardian - Opinion

I commenced to walk backward...

Huffington Post

Before we can commence, we need to find out what we're dealing with.

Vice

For example, some students may possess high levels of perceived confidence prior to commencing their clinical rotation, only to find the reality of practice confronting and therefore experience a sudden reduction in confidence [ 8].

BMC Medical Education

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has suggested that talks between himself and his two main opponents, Harper and NDP leader Tom Mulcair, commence immediately in order to find a middle ground that all parties could agree on.

Vice

To find out, we commenced a two-evening Long March through this city of 20 million.

Forbes

Haynes descended below the fog to find the Utah, and commenced bombing at 11 47 a.m at a low altitude of 600 feet.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and correctness, substitute "commenced to find" with phrases like "began searching for" or "started looking for". These alternatives are more grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Common error

The word "commenced" is often incorrectly followed by "to" + a verb in its infinitive form. It's better to use a gerund (verb + -ing) after "commenced" (e.g., "commenced searching") or to replace the entire phrase with a simpler alternative like "began to search".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commenced to find" functions as a connector indicating the start of an action with a specific purpose. However, it's grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI suggests that the correct phrase is not in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "commenced to find" aims to express the beginning of a search or discovery, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI advises against its use, suggesting alternatives like "began searching for" or "started looking for". The sources where it appears are varied, but the rarity and grammatical issues suggest avoiding this phrase in favor of clearer, more accepted options. Though the intent is understandable, the execution is flawed, impacting its overall effectiveness in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began searching for

Replaces "commenced" with "began" and uses "searching for" instead of "to find", offering a more natural flow.

started looking for

Uses "started" as a simpler alternative to "commenced" and maintains the "looking for" structure for clarity.

initiated a search for

Replaces "commenced to find" with a more formal phrasing using "initiated" and "a search for".

undertook to locate

Offers a formal and somewhat archaic alternative, replacing "commenced to find" with "undertook to locate".

set out to discover

Emphasizes the intention of discovering something, replacing "commenced to find" with "set out to discover".

moved to identify

Focuses on the action of identifying, swapping "commenced to find" for "moved to identify".

proceeded to seek

Replaces "commenced" with "proceeded" and "find" with "seek", providing a slightly more formal tone.

embarked on a quest to find

Adds a sense of adventure, replacing "commenced to find" with "embarked on a quest to find".

took steps to uncover

Focuses on the actions taken to reveal something, switching "commenced to find" for "took steps to uncover".

began the process of finding

Highlights the procedural aspect, replacing "commenced to find" with "began the process of finding".

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "commenced to find"?

Instead of "commenced to find", you can use phrases like "began searching for" or "started looking for", which are more natural and grammatically sound.

Is "commenced to find" considered formal language?

While "commenced" itself has a formal tone, the construction "commenced to find" is grammatically awkward. If aiming for formality, it's better to use a phrase like "initiated a search for".

Can I use "commenced to find" in academic writing?

It's generally not recommended to use "commenced to find" in academic writing due to its incorrect grammar. Opt for clearer and more accepted alternatives like "began the process of finding".

What are some synonyms for "commenced" that I can use instead?

Synonyms for "commenced" include "began", "started", "initiated", and "undertook". Remember to adjust the rest of the phrase accordingly to maintain grammatical correctness.