commencement of war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commencement of war" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in historical or formal contexts to refer to the beginning or initiation of a conflict or war. Example: "The commencement of war in 1914 marked a significant turning point in global history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

With the commencement of war, the United States produced the 27,500-ton Essex class.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What is notable here is that traditional just war theorists have not advanced any criterion of their own that would make it plausible to suppose that the commencement of war suspends the moral principles that govern other forms of violent conflict and brings quite different principles into effect instead.

The New York Times

The commencement of war with France in 1337 only added to the economic difficulties.

Wikipedia

On 3 September 1939, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced the commencement of war with Nazi Germany.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This, however, predated the commencement of the war itself.

The New York Times

The novel opens in 1947 and spools back in time towards the commencement of the war.

The Guardian

What did George W. Bush do immediately before announcing the commencement of the war against Iraq?

The New Yorker

If only he had held these views in March 2003 after the commencement of the war in Iraq or during the Republican National Convention.

The New York Times

By Jon Michaud June 22 , 2012This week marks the two hundredth anniversary of the commencement of the War of 1812, a benchmark that has been only halfheartedly acknowledged across the country.

The New Yorker

The undersigned, Chancellor of the North German Bund, begs to make the following communication to the Government of the grand duchy of Luxemburg:- At the commencement of the war the Government of His Majesty the King declared that it would respect the neutrality of the grand duchy of Luxemburg.

The Guardian

In its announcement, issued after trading ended yesterday, Berkshire cited two provisions in the tender offer that allowed Berkshire to walk away if there was "any general suspension of trading in securities on any national securities exchange" or "a commencement of a war or armed hostilities or other national or international calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, use "commencement of war" to add a sense of historical significance or gravity to the beginning of a conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "commencement of war" in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler phrases like "start of the war" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commencement of war" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the point in time when a war begins. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, as confirmed by example sentences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commencement of war" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the beginning of armed conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While it's considered formal and often found in historical or academic contexts, simpler alternatives like "start of war" may be more appropriate for informal situations. The phrase appears in news media, encyclopedias, and Wikipedia, with its primary function being to formally mark the initiation of a conflict. Overusing it in everyday conversation should be avoided to maintain appropriate tone and register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outbreak of war

Focuses on the sudden eruption of conflict.

start of war

A more general and common way to express the beginning of a war.

onset of war

Similar to outbreak, but can also refer to a gradual beginning.

initiation of hostilities

A more formal and legalistic way to refer to the start of conflict.

beginning of armed conflict

A descriptive phrase emphasizing the armed nature of the conflict.

dawn of war

A more metaphorical expression suggesting a new era of conflict.

genesis of the war

Focuses on the origins and initial phase of the war.

eruption of war

Highlights the sudden and violent nature of the war's start.

the war's inception

Emphasizes the formal or planned beginning of the war.

the opening of the war

Suggests the initial stages or battles of the conflict.

FAQs

What does "commencement of war" mean?

The phrase "commencement of war" refers to the beginning or start of a war or armed conflict. It is often used in formal or historical contexts.

What can I say instead of "commencement of war"?

You can use alternatives like "outbreak of war", "start of war", or "onset of war" depending on the context.

Is "commencement of war" formal language?

Yes, "commencement of war" is considered formal language. Simpler alternatives like "start of war" may be more appropriate for informal contexts.

How to use "commencement of war" in a sentence?

You might say, "The treaty failed, leading to the unfortunate outbreak of war /s/commencement+of+war between the two nations.".