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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
commencing litigation
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "commencing litigation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts when referring to the initiation of a lawsuit or legal proceedings. Example: "After careful consideration, we have decided that commencing litigation is the best course of action to protect our interests."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Academia
Science
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Regardless of the nature or source, when equity owners have conflict, if New Co.'s owners' agreement does not provide good procedures for addressing the situation, then the owners are left with the singular avenue of commencing litigation.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Other standardized testing organizations have complied with the New York law rather than commence litigation over the matter.
Academia
In the city's preliminary offering for the bonds, it writes, "On or about August 15, 2003, the city intends to commence litigation" to direct the corporation to pay the money.
News & Media
"Those Guantánamo prisoners who commenced litigation now more than a year ago have to date had no acknowledgement of state responsibility, wherever and however they were unlawfully kidnapped and detained, and whatever the level of involvement of the UK intelligence agencies".
News & Media
In China, for example, there was a long history of unofficial legal advisers often young men preparing to take imperial examinations for official appointment who assisted merchants and other laymen in the preparation of legal documents, including those needed to commence litigation.
Encyclopedias
Using data from actual malpractice lawsuits in different contexts and clinical areas, both studies demonstrate that over and above the importance of good communication, the inability to involve patients in decision-making and to consider their concerns and preferences can incite patients to commence litigation.
Science
A definition of derivative work that makes criminals out of art collectors and tourists is jarring despite Lee's gracious offer not to commence civil litigation.
Academia
McVeigh, on behalf of herself, the Decedent, and a minor child, commenced tort litigation in state court against parties alleged to have caused Decedent's injuries.
Academia
In his letter to Judge Paul G. Gardephe, who is presiding in the N.B.A.'s lawsuit, Mishkin reiterates the league's accusation — that "on more than two dozen occasions," the union "has threatened to abandon collective bargaining and commence antitrust litigation to challenge the lockout".
News & Media
Interestingly, the language of the charging order stated that it was not intended to alter any rights to payments which existed as of the date that Cleopatra filed its Complaint in 2012, since Mutrux had made a prior partial assignment of his rights to a third-party before Cleopatra commenced its litigation.
News & Media
The group also said in an unsigned statement: "WikiLeaks has commenced pre-litigation action against The Guardian and an individual in Germany who was distributing the Guardian passwords for personal gain".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "commencing litigation" in formal or legal contexts where precision and a professional tone are required. It is particularly appropriate when describing the formal initiation of a lawsuit or legal proceedings.
Common error
Avoid using "commencing litigation" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "starting a lawsuit" are more appropriate in less formal settings.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "commencing litigation" functions as a verbal phrase followed by a noun. The gerund "commencing" acts as a verb, indicating the action of beginning, while "litigation" serves as the noun, specifying the legal action being initiated. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.
Frequent in
News & Media
32%
Academia
32%
Science
21%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
9%
Wiki
3%
Formal & Business
3%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "commencing litigation" is a formal phrase used to describe the beginning of legal proceedings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, and it is frequently encountered in legal, academic, and news contexts. While grammatically sound, it is best reserved for formal settings, with simpler alternatives like "starting a lawsuit" being more appropriate for informal communication. The phrase's frequency is common, and its usage is consistent across authoritative sources such as The New York Times and Forbes. Understanding its register and purpose helps ensure its appropriate and effective use in writing and speech.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
initiating legal proceedings
Replaces the verb "commencing" with "initiating", which has a similar meaning but may sound slightly more formal.
bringing legal action
Emphasizes the act of taking action through legal means.
filing a lawsuit
Focuses on the act of officially submitting a lawsuit to the court.
instituting a suit
A more formal alternative, using "instituting" and "suit".
starting a lawsuit
Uses simpler language, replacing "litigation" with "lawsuit", making it more accessible.
engaging in legal action
Suggests active participation in the legal process.
undertaking litigation
Highlights the act of taking on the process of litigation.
pursuing legal recourse
Focuses on the goal of seeking a remedy through the legal system.
embarking on litigation
Emphasizes the beginning of a potentially long and complex legal process.
launching a legal battle
Implies a more protracted and adversarial legal process.
FAQs
What does "commencing litigation" mean?
The phrase "commencing litigation" means to formally begin a lawsuit or legal proceedings. It's a more formal way of saying "starting a lawsuit".
When is it appropriate to use "commencing litigation"?
It is most appropriate in formal, legal, or professional contexts. In everyday conversation, simpler phrases like "filing a lawsuit" or "taking legal action" might be more suitable.
Are there synonyms for "commencing litigation"?
Yes, several synonyms exist, including "initiating legal proceedings", "bringing legal action", and "starting a lawsuit". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.
Is "commencing litigation" better than "starting litigation"?
While both are grammatically correct, "commencing litigation" is generally considered more formal and is often preferred in legal documents and official communications. "Starting litigation" is more informal and suitable for everyday language.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested