commenced to grow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commenced to grow" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate the beginning of a growth process, although "commenced growing" is more standard. Example: "After the rain, the plants commenced to grow rapidly, filling the garden with vibrant colors."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A dozen deep-green shoots pushed up out of the soil and commenced to grow -- faster and more robustly than any of the other potatoes in my garden.

The New York Times - Magazine

Of course, they migrated across the road and landed in Farmer A's field and commenced to grow there.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The boarding of weanlings, yearlings and rehabilitative horses (classified together as Other in the sales charts) will begin to grow as the Fall months commence.

Bplans

The eggs hatch and start to grow, and when their jaws are sufficiently mature, they commence feeding on one another.

The New York Times - Science

Results show that a TiC layer commenced to form near the surface of Ti3SiC2 at 1200 °C in vacuum and grew rapidly in thickness with temperature rising to 1500 °C.

Materials Letters

The wolves commenced to sing.

The Guardian

Then he commenced to pace.

The New York Times

In this the buffaloes commenced to feed.

Cornell University

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

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian

She now commenced to practise her husband's precepts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using more common alternatives like "began to grow" or "started growing" for clarity and contemporary style. This avoids potential awkwardness for modern readers.

Common error

Avoid using "commenced to grow" in informal writing, as it may sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler phrases to match the tone of your text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commenced to grow" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of a growth process. It describes the beginning of an action where something starts to increase in size, develop, or expand. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe both physical and abstract growth.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "commenced to grow" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat uncommon way to express the beginning of a growth process. Ludwig's analysis indicates it appears in both news and scientific contexts but can sound overly formal in modern usage. As Ludwig AI points out, simpler alternatives like "began to grow" or "started growing" are often preferred for clarity. While correct, using this phrase may come across as slightly archaic or stilted to contemporary readers. Therefore, consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use "commenced to grow" or opt for a more streamlined alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began growing

Replaces "commenced to" with a more common synonym "began", maintaining the sense of initiation and continuation.

started to grow

Uses "started" as a synonym for "commenced", offering a simpler and more direct alternative.

began to develop

Substitutes "grow" with "develop", shifting the focus slightly towards the process of development.

initiated growth

Replaces "commenced to grow" with a noun phrase, emphasizing the action of starting growth.

began to flourish

Replaces "grow" with "flourish", suggesting a more vigorous and successful development.

started expanding

Uses "expanding" instead of "growing", implying an increase in size or scope.

began its ascent

Figuratively replaces "grow" with "ascent", often used in contexts of career or metaphorical growth.

took root and grew

Emphasizes the establishment of roots before growth, suitable for describing plants or ideas.

underwent initial growth

Highlights the initial stage of growth, using a more formal tone.

began to take shape

Focuses on the formation process as it begins, rather than simple increase in size.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "commenced to grow"?

You can use alternatives like "began to grow", "started to grow", or "began growing" depending on the context.

Is "commenced to grow" grammatically correct?

Yes, "commenced to grow" is grammatically correct, but it's less common than alternatives like "began to grow". It is acceptable, as indicated by Ludwig.

When is it appropriate to use "commenced to grow"?

It might be appropriate in formal writing or when aiming for a slightly archaic or elevated tone. However, in most modern contexts, simpler alternatives are preferred.

What is the difference between "commenced to grow" and "commenced growing"?

"Commenced growing" is more standard and streamlined. While "commenced to grow" is grammatically valid, the former is generally preferred for its conciseness and modern usage.