commenced to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commenced to work" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used in formal contexts, particularly in legal or historical documents, but "commenced working" is more standard. Example: "After the meeting, the team commenced to work on the new project immediately."

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Cambridge, Royce commenced to work doggedly and in diverse areas.

SEP

Soon after signing a record deal with Lava Records, aspiring English singer Jessie J commenced to work on her debut album.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This model provides a structured framework for the facilitation of emotional intelligence (EI) to promote wholeness in nurses who commence to work in critical care units.

Health SA Gesondheid

In Bolivia, with UNFPA support, plans have been agreed and work commenced to introduce a pre-service midwifery programme, at provincial university level, so that the midwives from this programme will be educated to a level equivalent of other healthcare providers such as nurses.

Human Resources for Health

In the late 1990s work commenced to extend that line northward from Yatsushiro to Hakata, and the opening of the segment in 2011 completed the full north-south route of the Shinkansen on Kyushu.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From 1 January 2000, the S-train service from Solbjerg to Vanløse was terminated, and work commenced to rebuild the section to metro.

Wikipedia

Since 2007, work has commenced to fill in these gaps and the results of these efforts are presented in a number of papers in this supplement.

British Journal of Cancer

In consideration of the antecedent reports, the present work was commenced to evaluate the possible effects of Perilla frutescens fixed oil (PFO) on experimentally induced esophageal lesions in animal models.

BioMed Research International

"In some areas of Norfolk, where evacuations have commenced, I would urge everybody to work closely and to cooperate with the local authorities".

The Guardian

"We have allowed sufficient time in our programme schedule for this regulatory process and continue to work toward commencing exploration drilling in late 2016, subject to the acceptance of our environment plan".

The Guardian - Business

It is true that in your case you may need some remedial study before Master's level work can commence, but we are willing to work with you as you come up to speed with the rest of our student body.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "commenced to work" is grammatically correct, consider using more common alternatives like "began working" or "started to work" for a more natural and contemporary tone.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal phrases like "commenced to work" in everyday writing. Opt for simpler and more direct alternatives to maintain clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commenced to work" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of an action. While grammatically sound, Ludwig AI suggests it is less common in contemporary usage. The examples showcase its use in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

Wiki

25%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commenced to work" is a grammatically acceptable phrase that means to begin working. However, Ludwig AI indicates it sounds formal and somewhat dated compared to more common alternatives like "began working" or "started to work". While appropriate in formal or historical contexts, it is generally advisable to use simpler and more direct language in contemporary writing to maintain clarity and readability. Its primary function is to formally state the start of a task, mainly in scientific, wiki, and news contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to work

Replaces "commenced" with the more common "began", resulting in a more natural and widely accepted phrasing.

started to work

Uses "started" instead of "commenced", creating a more contemporary and less formal tone.

began working

Transforms the structure to use a gerund after "began", making the phrase more concise and modern.

started working

Uses "started" followed by the gerund "working", which is a common and natural way to express the beginning of work.

initiated work

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct and concise expression using "initiated".

commenced working

Uses the gerund form of "work" after "commenced", which is a grammatically sound and more accepted alternative.

undertook to work

Implies taking on a task or responsibility, adding a layer of commitment to the action.

embarked on work

Suggests a beginning of a journey or project, adding a sense of adventure or long-term commitment.

set about working

Indicates a deliberate and focused start to work, highlighting the intentionality of the action.

proceeded to work

Implies a step-by-step progression into work, suggesting a methodical approach.

FAQs

What does "commenced to work" mean?

The phrase "commenced to work" means to begin working or to start working. It is a more formal way of expressing the start of a task or activity.

What can I say instead of "commenced to work"?

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

Which is correct, "commenced to work" or "commenced working"?

Both "commenced to work" and "commenced working" are grammatically correct, but "commenced working" is more commonly used and sounds more natural to modern English speakers.

Is "commenced to work" too formal for general writing?

Yes, "commenced to work" can be considered too formal for general writing. Simpler alternatives like "began working" or "started working" are often better choices for clarity and readability.