have commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have commenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action has started or begun, often in a formal or official context. Example: "The construction of the new bridge has commenced, and we expect it to be completed by next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Never forget, Class of Pre-Napster, you have commenced.

The New Yorker

To this end, discussions have commenced with TEG's largest shareholders.

The Guardian - Business

"We have commenced an internal investigation and are also fully committed to assisting the NRL.

The Guardian - Sport

As we know, the Obeids have commenced their civil action against Icac and counsel assisting.

The Guardian - Opinion

When two subjects begin making sketches, concrete planning may have commenced.

The New Yorker

"Some of the stadia have commenced building," he said through a translator.

The New York Times - Sports

We have commenced taking action and will work closely with the government on a longer-term plan".

The Guardian - Sport

The memoir I'd truly like to have read would have commenced as her airplane's wheels left the tarmac at LAX.

The New York Times - Books

"We take matters such as this very seriously and we have commenced a full internal investigation into the allegations.

The Guardian

A new foreign coach will be employed and contacts have commenced," a statement from the Tunisian football federation said.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are seeking maximum recovery of our loss and we have commenced legal proceedings for this purpose".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have commenced" in formal writing to denote the beginning of a process, project, or event. It's particularly suitable when aiming for a professional or authoritative tone.

Common error

Avoid using "have commenced" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "have started" or "have begun" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have commenced" functions as a present perfect construction used to indicate that an action or event has begun and is relevant to the present. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples demonstrating its wide applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have commenced" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is primarily employed to formally indicate the beginning of an action or event. While the phrase sees use across multiple contexts, it is particularly common in news, scientific, and business writing, making it suitable for professional and authoritative communications. Remember to reserve "have commenced" for more formal situations and opt for alternatives like "have started" or "have begun" in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have started

This alternative uses a more common and less formal verb to indicate the beginning of an action.

have begun

This alternative is nearly synonymous but can sometimes imply a more significant or deliberate start.

have initiated

This alternative suggests a formal or planned start, often used in project management or official contexts.

have undertaken

This alternative implies a commitment to a task or project that has been started.

are underway

This alternative uses a different grammatical structure to convey that something is in progress after starting.

have set in motion

This alternative emphasizes the act of causing something to begin, often a process or series of events.

have activated

This alternative suggests that a system or process has been turned on or made operational.

have launched

This alternative is often used for projects, products, or initiatives that have been officially started.

have triggered

This alternative indicates the start of a process or event as a result of a specific cause.

are in progress

This alternative focuses on the ongoing state of something that has started, rather than the initial start itself.

FAQs

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

Use "have commenced" to indicate that something has formally begun, such as "The investigation "has commenced"" or "Construction "has commenced" on the new building".

What can I say instead of "have commenced"?

You can use alternatives like "have started", "have begun", or "have initiated" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "have commenced" or "have started"?

"Have commenced" is generally more formal. "Have started" is more common and suitable for everyday use. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What is the difference between "have commenced" and "are underway"?

"Have commenced" focuses on the start of an activity, while "are underway" emphasizes that the activity is currently in progress. For example, "Preparations "have commenced"", meaning the preparations have begun, and "The project are underway", indicating that the project is currently in progress.