commencement

USAGE SUMMARY

'commencement' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the beginning or start of something. For example, "We will be marking the commencement of this event with a special ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

On the eve of the commencement, anger was still simmering as president James F Jones Jr announced he would not participate Saturday because of the fears of unspecified disruptions.

The Guardian

At the commencement of Ramadan, the king of Saudi Arabia, who is also the keeper of the two holy mosques, made a powerful statement reclaiming the faith of Islam from those who would pervert it, in the name of politics.

The Guardian - Opinion

GNMA may cancel any Guardian Masterclass at any time prior to its commencement.

The Guardian

One of those workers is Steven Woody, who was painting the graduation stand ahead of commencement ceremonies.

The Guardian

The Dardanelles landings were in fact the trigger for the commencement of the genocide, and (together with Russian military activity on Turkey's eastern front) were used as an excuse for the destruction of the Armenians, on the pretext that they might support the allied invasion.

The Guardian - Books

It marked the official commencement of her final attempt to crack what she called the "the hardest, highest glass ceiling" after being defeated by Barack Obama in their bitterly fought contest for the Democratic nomination in 2008.

The Guardian

Lauren Mellor, spokeswoman for the environment centre, said "the writing was on the wall" for the 3 Deeps mine, pointing to the company delaying the commencement date earlier this year.

The Guardian

Giving the commencement address at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania earlier this week, the Booker prize-winning author said that free speech was "the lifeblood, the essential condition of the liberal education you've just received", but that its condition is "desperate" in many places around the world.

The Guardian - Books

The establishment of inclusive political Institutions and the commencement of the process of decommissioning are the first steps in this process.

The Guardian

The cable channel, which has been suffering historically low ratings, faces long months of waiting before the commencement in earnest of the presidential election season, with its promise of an expanded audience for the station's progressive political content.

The Guardian

Days before Saturday's planned commencement, seniors astride horses rode through a quad worthy of a putting green.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commencement" in formal contexts when referring to the beginning of something significant or a graduation ceremony. It adds a touch of formality and importance.

Common error

Avoid using "commencement" when you actually mean the end or conclusion of something. "Commencement" specifically refers to the beginning, not the completion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "commencement" is that of a noun. It can denote either the act of beginning something or a graduation ceremony. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples where "commencement" functions as a noun in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

37%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commencement" is a versatile noun denoting either the start of something or a graduation ceremony. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts, primarily in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. Its formal tone makes it suitable for professional and academic writing, while it is important to avoid confusing it with terms denoting the end of something. For alternative phrasing, "beginning", "start", and "graduation ceremony" offer similar meanings depending on the specific context. Remember to use "commencement" to lend formality and importance to the beginning you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning

Emphasizes the start or initial phase of something, similar to "commencement".

start

A general term for the point at which something begins.

outset

Indicates the initial stage or beginning of an event or activity.

initiation

Refers to the act of beginning or introducing something.

inception

Suggests the start or establishment of an organization, project, etc.

graduation ceremony

Specifically refers to the ceremony for conferring degrees.

graduation exercise

Similar to graduation ceremony, focusing on the activities involved.

degree ceremony

An alternative term for graduation, emphasizing the awarding of degrees.

kickoff

Informal term for the start of an event, often used in sports or projects.

starting point

Focuses on the initial position or stage in a process.

FAQs

How to use "commencement" in a sentence?

"Commencement" can refer to a beginning, as in "The "commencement of the project"", or a graduation ceremony, such as "The university's "commencement ceremony" is scheduled for June".

What can I say instead of "commencement"?

You can use alternatives like "beginning", "start", or "outset" depending on the context. For graduation-related contexts, "graduation ceremony" is suitable.

Which is correct, "commencement" or "conclusion"?

"Commencement" refers to the beginning of something, while "conclusion" refers to the end. Use "commencement" when discussing starts and "conclusion" when discussing endings.

What's the difference between "commencement" and "initiation"?

"Commencement" often implies a formal beginning or a graduation event. "Initiation", on the other hand, usually refers to the act of starting or introducing something, or the formal admission into a group or organization.