commencing their studies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commencing their studies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the beginning of an educational program or course of study. Example: "The students are excited about commencing their studies at the university next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Or, alternatively, students could have studied at another institution, or in another course at UNE, prior to commencing their studies with the authors, when asked this question.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

On completion of their degree, students would pay a fixed amount initially set by the Scottish government at £2000 and later rising to £2289 for students commencing their studies during the academic year of 2006-07.

Wikipedia

Year 1 medical students at the four Scottish medical schools in 2009 10 and 2010 11 were invited to complete a survey on career preferences within two months of commencing their studies.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were doing well and learning Swedish fast, in order to commence their studies and find jobs.

The Guardian

But it adds that "at the discretion of Whitehouse, a scholarship for further study may be offered during the academic year to students who have formally commenced their studies and show exceptional ability and dedication".

The Guardian

The sample consisted of 4th and 5th Year students who commenced their studies at the University of Aberdeen or University of Dundee medical schools in 2007.

BMC Medical Education

In February 2007 the first cohort of students commenced their studies at the Graduate School of Medicine in Wollongong, where the problem-based medical curriculum is organised around 93 core clinical presentations.

BMC Medical Education

In Iran, medical students typically commence their studies right after high school, with neither preliminary higher education nor the adequate mental and personal maturity necessary to choose to study medicine [ 6].

BMC Medical Education

Weyand and her associates commenced their study by comparing monocytes harvested from the blood of 140 patients with coronary artery disease, each of whom had experienced at least one heart attack, with those from 105 healthy, demographically matched control subjects.

Stanford University

At Imperial's Tanaka Business School, learning technologist David Lefevre says part of the reason for digitising the accounting module of the school's executive MBA programme was to ensure that students about to commence their study can be sure they are up to the standard needed to complete particular parts of their course.

The Guardian - Money

The school completed a profile before the students commenced their study (September) and another when they returned in July, and WBL provider staff completed one in the first week of study (late September) and one before they left in July.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commencing their studies" when you want to convey a formal and slightly elevated tone, especially in academic or official contexts. It suggests a deliberate and planned beginning.

Common error

Avoid using "commencing their studies" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound pretentious or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "starting their studies" or "beginning their studies" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commencing their studies" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English. The examples illustrate its role in describing the initiation of academic endeavors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "commencing their studies" is a grammatically correct and usable gerund phrase that signifies the beginning of an academic program or research endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While not as common as its simpler alternatives like "starting their studies" or "beginning their studies", it offers a formal tone suitable for academic, scientific, and official contexts. It is important to consider the audience and purpose when choosing between "commencing their studies" and its more informal counterparts. Key contexts where you might encounter it include science, academia, and news reporting on educational matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning their academic journey

Replaces "studies" with a more metaphorical term, emphasizing the overall experience.

starting their educational program

Substitutes "studies" with "educational program" for a more formal tone.

embarking on their course of study

Uses a more formal and literary verb, "embarking", to denote commencement.

initiating their scholarly pursuits

Replaces everyday language with more sophisticated and academic vocabulary.

undertaking their academic work

Focuses on the labor and effort involved in studying, rather than the start itself.

launching their higher education

Employs a metaphor of launching to describe the beginning of university-level study.

getting underway with their learning

Shifts the focus to the process of learning rather than the formal commencement of studies.

taking up their academic disciplines

Highlights the specific fields of study the individuals are beginning.

entering into their field of study

Emphasizes entering a new area of knowledge or expertise.

starting their research career

Specifically refers to beginning research-oriented studies or work.

FAQs

What does "commencing their studies" mean?

It means beginning their academic pursuits or starting a course of study, often implying a formal or official context.

What can I say instead of "commencing their studies"?

You can use alternatives like "starting their studies", "beginning their studies", or "embarking on their studies" depending on the context.

Is "commencing their studies" formal or informal?

It is generally considered a more formal way of saying "starting their studies" or "beginning their studies".

When is it appropriate to use "commencing their studies"?

Use it in formal writing, official announcements, or academic contexts where a slightly elevated tone is desired.