have been commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been commenced" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in formal contexts to indicate that an action has started, but it is often better to use simpler alternatives. Example: "The project has been commenced as of last week."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"If she had reported it in May, an investigation would have been commenced several weeks before it actually was commenced," said the commissioner, Richard J. Condon.

The New York Times

In a short statement, the palace said: "St James's Palace confirms that legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced today in France by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge against the publishers of Closer Magazine France".

Independent

James's Palace confirms that legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced today in France by the duke and duchess of Cambridge against the publishers of Closer Magazine France," the couple's office said in a statement.

The New York Times

In a short statement issued yesterday the palace said: "St James's Palace confirms that legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced today in France by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge against the publishers of Closer Magazine France".

Independent

Got to celebrate it!" — Sarah Palin "Defendants United States of America and the Secretary of Defense [are ordered] immediately to suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, separation, or other proceeding, that may have been commenced under the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' [policy]." — Judge Virginia Phillips "The country is not the same after this.

The New Yorker

(a) The filing and prosecution of a well-founded lawsuit may not be enjoined as an unfair labor practice, even if it would not have been commenced but for the plaintiff's desire to retaliate against the defendant for exercising rights protected by the Act.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

That a proceeding to partition the parcel of land by sale has been commenced.

Cornell University

Irving told Jackson proceedings had been commenced against the union for failing to file returns on donations.

The Guardian

Since the serious financial crimes taskforce was established in May 2015 more than 650 compliance activities had been commenced or completed, raising more than $130m.

The Guardian

Formerly, 28 U.S.C. §1477 authorized a court either to transfer or retain a case which had been commenced in a district where venue was improper.

Cornell University

The mere fact that an investigation has been commenced does not mean that it is probable that a claim will be asserted or that, if it is, there is a reasonable possibility that the outcome will be unfavorable.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been commenced", ensure the context aligns with the formality of the phrase, such as legal or official documentation.

Common error

Avoid using "have been commenced" in informal or casual writing. It can sound unnatural and pretentious in everyday conversation or informal correspondence. Opt for more natural alternatives instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been commenced" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action or process has been started by an unspecified agent. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's often perceived as overly formal, suggesting simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "have been commenced" is generally considered formal and can often be replaced with simpler alternatives like "have started" or "have begun". Ludwig examples indicate its usage is common in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When deciding whether to use "have been commenced", consider the intended audience and the desired level of formality, as Ludwig AI notes that it can sometimes sound awkward in modern English. Therefore, while correct, it's important to consider context and audience when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been started

Replaces "commenced" with the more common and less formal "started".

have been initiated

Substitutes "commenced" with "initiated", which is similar in formality but slightly more common.

have been begun

Uses "begun" as an alternative to "commenced", offering a slightly simpler and more direct phrasing.

were initiated

Changes the tense and voice while maintaining the core meaning of starting or initiating.

were started

Uses a more common verb and adjusts the sentence structure to a passive form.

legal proceedings have begun

Focuses on legal context, replacing the generic "commenced" with "begun" and specifying the action.

the process has started

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of a process that has just begun.

implementation has started

Highlights the beginning of implementation rather than a generic commencement.

actions have been taken

Shifts the focus to the action taken, implying something has commenced.

steps have been undertaken

Suggests the initial steps of a process have been taken, similar to commencing a project.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "have been commenced"?

More common alternatives include "have been started", "have been begun", or "have been initiated", which are often preferred for their simplicity.

In what contexts is "have been commenced" appropriate?

This phrase is generally suitable for formal settings, such as legal documents or official reports, where a higher degree of formality is required. However, in most other contexts, simpler alternatives are preferable.

Is "have been commenced" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "have been commenced" is grammatically correct. However, its usage can sometimes sound awkward or overly formal, leading many writers to prefer simpler alternatives.

How can I use "have been commenced" in a sentence?

For example, you could say "Legal proceedings "have been commenced"" or "An investigation "has been commenced"". However, consider whether "have started" or "have begun" might sound more natural.