did not commence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not commence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something did not start or begin as planned or expected. Example: "The meeting did not commence at the scheduled time due to technical difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The slowdown did not commence until 1 33 remained on the clock.

The New York Times - Sports

The West had long captivated the American imagination, but U.S. expansion in the region did not commence in earnest until the 1840s.

Princeton University

Under applicable North Carolina law, the five- to seven-year assault sentence did not commence until the date of the guilty plea, October 29 , 1969

Cornell University

One welcoming member explained to me that socializing (and the snack!) did not commence until after business had been attended to.

The New Yorker

He added that he was surprised that regulators and company officials did not commence a review of whether drilling should continue after the well was brought under control.

The New York Times

Mixed design analyses of variance were conducted on the sample of eligible participants who did not commence treatment (N = 26), the intention-to-treat sample (ITT NN = 83), and the completer sample (N = 61).

PAIN

Corn (maize), beans, and squash were gradually domesticated in Mexico and Central America from 6500 bce on, though sedentary village life did not commence there until much later, at about 2000 bce.

Britannica

Corn (maize), beans, and squash were gradually domesticated in Mexico and Central America from 6500 BCE on, though sedentary village life did not commence there until much later, about 2000 BCE.

Britannica

"When Fox News did not commence any negotiations to renew her contract, Ms. Carlson became aware that her career with the network was likely over and conveniently began to pursue a lawsuit," he said in a statement.

The New York Times

A self-taught sculptor, who did not commence a full-time creative career until his late 50s, he became a widely recognised and popular figure far beyond the world of the visual arts.

The Guardian - Arts

"Tragedy was averted because there was a little delay as the prayers did not commence in earnest and the bomb strapped to the body of the girl went off and killed her," he added.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is needed, "did not commence" is useful in formal or technical contexts. For everyday communication, consider using "did not start" or "did not begin".

Common error

Avoid using "did not commence" in casual conversation. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "didn't start" or "didn't begin" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not commence" functions as a verb phrase indicating the absence of a beginning or start. It is used to describe situations where an action, event, or process did not begin, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not commence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something did not begin. As shown by Ludwig's AI, it's particularly common in news, scientific, and academic contexts, reflecting a formal register. While acceptable in various forms of writing, remember that it might sound overly formal in casual settings where simpler alternatives such as "did not start" or "did not begin" would be more appropriate. It is crucial to match the tone to your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not begin

Replaces "commence" with a simpler synonym, "begin", maintaining the same meaning but with less formality.

did not start

Substitutes "commence" with "start", providing an even more common and informal alternative.

did not initiate

Replaces "commence" with "initiate", preserving a similar level of formality.

never started

Emphasizes the complete absence of a beginning, adding a sense of finality or permanence.

failed to begin

Highlights the failure to initiate, focusing on the lack of success in starting.

did not get underway

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that something didn't start as scheduled, often referring to projects or events.

did not materialize

Suggests that something planned or expected never happened or took shape.

did not come into being

Emphasizes the non-existence or lack of origin of something.

did not take effect

Implies that a rule, law, or plan was never put into practice.

did not come about

Indicates that an event or situation did not occur or happen.

FAQs

What is a more casual way to say "did not commence"?

More casual alternatives to "did not commence" include "did not start" or "did not begin". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "did not commence" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "did not commence" is suitable for formal writing, especially when conveying precision or in technical contexts. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone of the piece. It is well accepted and grammatically correct, according to Ludwig.

Can I use "did not initiate" instead of "did not commence"?

Yes, "did not initiate" is a viable alternative. It carries a similar level of formality and precision, making it suitable for many of the same contexts.

What's the difference between "did not commence" and "never started"?

"Did not commence" implies a lack of initiation at a specific point or within a certain timeframe, whereas "never started" suggests a complete absence of beginning. The latter emphasizes finality.