commencing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commencing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the beginning of an action or event. Example: "The meeting will be commencing at 10 AM sharp, so please be on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1839 he began a long campaign to end "intramural interment", commencing with a pamphlet entitled Gatherings from Graveyards.

The Guardian

Alexander Hamilton wrote that "of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants".Greg Platt SingaporeSIR – John Adams observed that "Democracy never lasts long.

The Economist

But a once-in-a-generation shift may be commencing.

The Economist

Instead, he named himself the legitimate president of a "parallel" government in a public ceremony held on November 21st.Mr López Obrador intends to push for an overhaul of Mexican politics and to disrupt the activities of the new administration, commencing on inauguration day.

The Economist

And, commencing his third term during one of the worst economic crises since the second world war, Mr Brown chose to quote from his immigrant ancestor's journal in his inauguration address.In doing so, Mr Brown wanted to remind Californians to keep dreaming and enduring as August Schuckman had once done, and to put today's troubles in perspective.

The Economist

Commencing with fiscal 2005, Cardinal Seán O'Malley has required the archdiocese to complete an independent audit of its comprehensive financial statements annually.

The Economist

An indignant Ms Van de Putte pressed on: "At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over her male colleagues in the room?"At this, the senate gallery, packed mostly with opponents of the bill, erupted in applause and whistles, commencing the crowd's crucial role in the proceedings.

The Economist

In Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Marathi there is much poetry, written by Muslims and commencing with the Islamic invocation of Allah, which nevertheless betrays strong Hindu influence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The war on terrorism intensified over the year, commencing with the killing in January of Abu Laith al-Libi, a senior al-Qaeda commander, by a U.S. CIA drone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The intensity of anti-Catholic hostility stemming from the Popish Plot was a factor behind attempts in Parliament, commencing in 1679, to exclude the Duke of York from the succession.

Encyclopedia Britannica

New and faster steamboats were built and operated, often in rivalry to one another, a rivalry made famous by the three-day race, commencing June 30 , 1870 between the Natchez and the Robert E. Lee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commencing" when you want to convey a sense of formality or precision, especially in official documents or announcements.

Common error

Avoid using "commencing" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more natural alternatives like "starting" or "beginning" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "commencing" is that of a present participle, often used to form continuous verb tenses or act as an adjective. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing the initiation of events or actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "commencing" is a present participle used to indicate the beginning of an event or action. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While versatile, it's best to reserve "commencing" for scenarios where a sense of formality or precision is desired, as overuse in informal settings can sound stilted. For casual conversations, alternatives like "starting" or "beginning" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning

Indicates the start of something, similar to "commencing" but more general in tone.

starting

A common and versatile alternative, suggesting the initiation of an activity or process.

initiating

Implies a more formal and deliberate start than "commencing".

inaugurating

Suggests a formal or ceremonial beginning.

launching

Often used for starting projects or initiatives.

undertaking

Refers to beginning a task or endeavor.

setting about

Indicates starting a task with a specific purpose.

embarking on

Suggests starting a new journey or venture.

activating

Implies initiating a process or system.

triggering

Suggests starting something as a result of a specific action.

FAQs

How can I use "commencing" in a sentence?

"Commencing" is often used as a present participle to indicate the start of an action. For instance, "The meeting will be "commencing" shortly".

What are some alternatives to "commencing"?

You can use alternatives such as "starting", "beginning", or "initiating" depending on the context.

Is "commencing" formal or informal?

"Commencing" is generally considered a more formal term. In informal contexts, consider using "starting" or "beginning" instead.

What's the difference between "commencing" and "beginning"?

While both words refer to the start of something, "commencing" carries a more formal tone compared to "beginning", which is more commonly used in everyday language.