he would commence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he would commence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is about to start or begin an action in a formal or literary context. Example: "After much deliberation, he would commence the project that had been on hold for months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

To pay for this, he would commence a slaughter of sacred cows.

The New York Times

He in fact committed to the board that he would commence commercial shipment in the first half of 2008, not the last quarter of 2009.

Forbes

One spurned applicant, says Drummond, anchored his 150-ton schooner off the clubhouse and sent in a note saying he would commence shelling in 30 minutes unless the man who blackballed him the son of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley personally apologized.

Forbes

The commissioner said the NBA constitution allowed owners to eject Sterling if three-quarters of the owners voted in favor of such a move, and that he would commence the process of expulsion immediately.

Los Angeles Times

The public support for stifling investigation of the bank bailouts just to protect the President are infinitesimally small, and fortunately Dennis Kucinich announced today that he would commence an investigation into the Fannie/Freddie bailout.

Huffington Post

Last year, the lead negotiator from the Philippines, Yeb Sano broke into tears at the negotiations in Doha describing the damage inflicted by typhoon Bhopa, and today in Warsaw, as the death toll from Haiyan continues to mount, he announced that he would commence a voluntary fast "until a meaningful outcome is in sight".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mrs. Murphy said here yesterday that thought she would commence on Milt & eat him.

Huffington Post

Once he stepped on the grass, he believed the magic would commence.

The New York Times - Sports

It had been rash of him, deplorably reckless, to announce, three months beforehand, the exact date -- Sept. 16, 1851 -- on which his new paper would commence publication, and he soon regretted having made such an uncharacteristic boast.

The New York Times

"The wisdom of your approach contrasts, with all due respect, with the House's approach, where the semiannual auction of 100% [of the helium] would commence almost immediately," he said.

Science Magazine

On March 21 , 2007 Toshi announced on his website that he and Yoshiki had recently resumed working together, stating that a "new project" would commence soon.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing narratives or dialogues, consider whether the formality of "he would commence" aligns with the speaker's voice and the overall tone. If the context is informal, opt for simpler alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "he would commence" in casual conversations or informal writing. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound unnatural or pretentious, especially if the context calls for a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he would commence" functions as a verb phrase indicating a future action in a formal context. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for describing the initiation of an event or activity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he would commence" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig. It signifies the start of an action or event and is most appropriately used in formal contexts, particularly within news and media. While effective for conveying a sense of formality, it's important to consider the overall tone of your writing and avoid overusing it in casual settings. Simple alternatives like "he would start" or "he would begin" are often more suitable for informal communication. Ludwig's examples highlight the diverse application of this phrase across reputable sources, reinforcing its validity in formal English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was going to start

Replaces the formal "commence" with a more common verb "start".

he intended to begin

Substitutes "commence" with "begin", retaining a similar level of formality while altering the sentence structure.

he was about to initiate

Uses "initiate" instead of "commence", implying a more active role in starting something.

he planned to undertake

Replaces "commence" with "undertake", suggesting a planned and possibly significant endeavor.

he was set to launch

Employs "launch" to convey the commencement of something, often used for projects or initiatives.

he resolved to trigger

Uses "trigger" instead of "commence", indicating that some action will set something else in motion

he aimed to activate

Change from "commence" to "activate", focuses on bringing something into operation.

he purposed to inaugurate

Swaps "commence" for "inaugurate", implies a more formal or ceremonial beginning.

he proposed to instigate

Replacing "commence" with "instigate" implies the person is starting something controversial or problematic.

he decided to prosecute

Substitution of "commence" with "prosecute" refers to starting legal action or carrying out a duty.

FAQs

What does "he would commence" mean?

The phrase "he would commence" means that he was going to begin or start something. It is a more formal way of expressing the start of an action or event.

When is it appropriate to use "he would commence"?

It is appropriate to use "he would commence" in formal writing, historical contexts, or when you want to convey a sense of formality or importance. It can be used when indicating that someone is about to start or begin an action in a formal context.

Are there more common alternatives to "he would commence"?

Yes, more common alternatives include "he would start", "he would begin", or "he was going to start". These phrases are less formal and more frequently used in everyday conversation and writing.

How can I avoid sounding too formal when using "he would commence"?

To avoid sounding overly formal, consider the context of your writing. If the overall tone is casual or conversational, opt for a simpler alternative like "he would start". Use "he would commence" sparingly and only when the formality is appropriate.