commencing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commencing to" is correct and usable in written English, though it may sound somewhat formal or outdated.
You can use it when indicating the beginning of an action or process, often in a more formal context. Example: "The team is commencing to implement the new software system next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

A deep growl begins to build at the back of their throats, like an engine commencing to idle, or even to rev.

The New Yorker

At that point, as though suddenly realizing that there were dramatic circumstances at hand, the local jamming installations swung into action, commencing to howl and ululate with a doubled fury.

The New Yorker

"Made the first actual study for inaugural by commencing to read those of my predecessors," Garfield wrote in his diary on December 20 , 1880 when he still had plenty of time.

The New Yorker

He knew much of "Hamlet" by heart, and shared with one correspondent his still unorthodox view that the best speech by the villain Claudius, "the soliloquy commencing, 'O, my offense is rank' surpasses that commencing 'To be or not to be.' " It was "Macbeth," though, that seemed to haunt Lincoln.

The New York Times

By commencing to take the program apart on Friday, the Federal government set it right at the end of what was expected to be the Senate's session.

TechCrunch

The study finds that the two transparency aspects and free trade agreement policies are widely commencing to generate good results, i.e., increasing trade growth.

Journal of Economic Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Commence to dancing!

The Guardian - Film

The wolves commenced to sing.

The Guardian

Then he commenced to pace.

The New York Times

Commenced to take out our guns".

The New York Times - Books

I commenced to perambulate away, but I felt so awful.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "commencing to" is grammatically sound, consider using more contemporary alternatives like "starting to" or "beginning to" for clearer and more accessible writing.

Common error

Avoid using "commencing to" in informal contexts. It can sound stilted and out of place. Opt for a more natural-sounding alternative like "starting to" or "getting ready to" in casual conversations or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commencing to" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a verb construction to indicate the initiation of an action or state. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears in sentences describing processes starting, such as "commencing to clean it".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

50%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "commencing to" is grammatically correct, it is considered a more formal and somewhat outdated expression. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to indicate the beginning of an action or process. Contemporary usage favors alternatives like "starting to" or "beginning to", especially in informal contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples, indicating a formal or technical tone. While acceptable, writers should consider their audience and the desired tone when choosing between "commencing to" and its more common alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting to

More common and less formal alternative.

beginning to

A widely used and generally interchangeable option, slightly less formal.

proceeding to

Implies a more structured or planned start.

initiating

Focuses on the act of setting something in motion, often in a formal context.

embarking on

Suggests a new and often significant undertaking.

undertaking to

Highlights the assumption of responsibility in starting something.

setting about

Implies a practical and purposeful beginning.

getting underway

Emphasizes the progress and momentum of the start.

preparing to

Highlights the preparation stage immediately before beginning.

about to begin

Indicates an imminent start.

FAQs

What does "commencing to" mean?

The phrase "commencing to" means beginning or starting to do something. It's a more formal way of expressing the start of an action or process.

How can I use "commencing to" in a sentence?

You can use "commencing to" when you want to describe the start of an action, for example, "The project is commencing to show promising results". However, it's often more common to say "starting to" or "beginning to".

Which is more common, "commencing to" or "starting to"?

"Starting to" is far more common in contemporary English. "Commencing to" is a more formal and somewhat archaic phrasing. For a more natural sound, opt for "starting to" or "beginning to".

What are some alternatives to "commencing to"?

Instead of "commencing to", you can use phrases like "starting to", "beginning to", "preparing to", or simply "starting", depending on the context.