commencing towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commencing towards" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate the beginning of a movement or action directed at a specific goal or destination, but it is better to use more conventional phrases. Example: "We are commencing towards our goal of improving community engagement."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One sibling's parents described a period of three weeks whereby the sibling was quiet and withdrawn commencing towards the end of the support group.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

No doubt thrilling, there is much to prepare for by seniors as they commence towards commencement and onto the rest of their lives.

Huffington Post

One of the last episodes of Captain Scarlet to be produced, filming for "Attack on Cloudbase" commenced towards the end of October 1967.

Wikipedia

The land reclamation commenced towards the end of 1941 along with the construction of an RAF camp at the "North Front", now RAF Gibraltar.

Wikipedia

HAART is usually commenced towards the end of a long period of increased TB risk [ 32] and although associated with a reduction in TB incidence, [ 3, 21, 23, 24, 33] this is off-set to some degree by increased survival and consequent longer period at risk.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Some Israeli government officials opined in 2002 that the armed Fatah sub-group al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades commenced attacks towards Israel in order to compete with Hamas.

Wikipedia

There is evidence of a population expansion in East Antarctic Adélie penguins commencing around 14 kya, towards the end of the glacial-interglacial transition (Fig.  2).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The company said construction of the new Heathrow Terminal 2 should be completed towards the end of 2013, with operations commencing in mid-2014.

BBC

Instruction on such manoeuvres or direction towards syncope advice groups may be of use for students commencing their surgical attachments [ 17].

BMC Medical Education

Exploratory landmark analysis of CA19-9 showed a trend towards shorter PFS for patients with higher CA19-9 levels 6 weeks after commencing treatment (HR 1.8; 95% CI 0.94 3.71; P=0.94 3.71

British Journal of Cancer

"Commencing warp".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "starting towards", "beginning to move towards", or "proceeding toward" to avoid ambiguity and enhance readability.

Common error

Avoid using "commencing towards" in formal writing. This phrase sounds unusual and can be replaced with simpler alternatives. It could be misinterpreted due to its uncommon construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commencing towards" functions as a verbal phrase intended to describe the initiation of movement or action in a specific direction. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's considered an awkward construction. Examples provided highlight its usage in various contexts, though alternatives are generally preferred for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "commencing towards" isn't strictly incorrect, it's considered an awkward and uncommon construction in modern English. Ludwig AI suggests it's best to avoid this phrase in favor of clearer, more common alternatives such as "starting towards", "beginning to move towards", or "proceeding toward". Its usage spans across scientific, news, and wiki contexts, but its rarity suggests it should be replaced for better clarity. As Ludwig examples illustrate, simpler phrasings are preferable to ensure your message is easily understood. Overall, prioritize straightforward language for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting towards

Indicates the initiation of movement or action directed at a specific point or goal, similar to "commencing towards" but with a more common verb.

beginning towards

Emphasizes the start of an action oriented towards a destination or target, using a more basic and widely understood verb.

proceeding toward

Suggests ongoing movement or progress in a specific direction, conveying a sense of continuation that "commencing towards" may lack.

advancing toward

Highlights the forward movement or progress toward a particular point or objective, adding a sense of momentum or intent.

moving toward

A general term indicating movement in a certain direction, more straightforward and less formal than "commencing towards".

heading towards

Suggests a determined course or direction, implying a clear destination or goal in mind.

setting out for

Emphasizes the start of a journey or endeavor, with a clear intention to reach a particular place or achieve a specific outcome.

launching into

Implies a vigorous or energetic start, suggesting a strong commitment to the action or goal.

embarking on

Suggests the start of a significant or adventurous undertaking, conveying a sense of anticipation and commitment.

making strides toward

Highlights progress and effort in moving toward a specific goal, emphasizing the steps taken to achieve it.

FAQs

What is a better alternative to "commencing towards"?

Consider using phrases like "starting towards", "beginning to", or "proceeding towards" for clearer communication.

Is "commencing towards" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "commencing towards" is an awkward and uncommon phrasing. It's generally better to use more conventional alternatives.

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

Although possible, it's advisable to rephrase sentences using "commencing towards" to improve clarity and naturalness. For instance, instead of "The project is commencing towards completion", try "The project is starting to move towards completion".

What does "commencing towards" mean?

"Commencing towards" suggests the beginning of an action or movement oriented in a specific direction or aimed at a particular goal. However, it's less clear and idiomatic than other options.