it commenced with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it commenced with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the beginning of an event, action, or process. Example: "The meeting was productive, and it commenced with a review of the previous minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It commenced with him lodged in the Colorado Rockies' lineup.

The New York Times - Sports

It commenced with the appearance of the animal kingdom (i.e., multicelled organisms that ingest food), but the date and details of that event remain obscure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On a long-running sitcom the Ronnie Hazlehurst theme would be augmented with bells, and the opening credits themselves were often festooned with holly; Terry and June of 1980 left even less to chance as it commenced with a shot of an advent calendar.

Independent

It commenced with the arrival at the Earth of a coronal mass ejection, which abruptly compressed the magnetopause and generated a positive magnetic impulse in Kakioka ({B_{x}^{m}}) of about 60 nT at 06:13 UT on 29 October.

Earth, Planets and Space

Of course, I expect most of you to wake up, watch that interview a few hours before I do, and then go back to bed/get on with your lives, making this liveblog extra weird today, so let's get it commenced with all deliberate haste.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Cool It commences with a look at polar bears.

The Washington Post

It commences with discussing MH, a mail-handling application developed by the RAND Corporation.

Linux and the Unix Philosophy

It commences with his arrival in New York City in 1858 and continues, with gaps, up to about 1870.

Columbia University

It commences with a personalised account of the first named author's experiences of behavioural, social and critical accounting in the 25 years before MAR appeared.

Management Accounting Research

It commences with a consideration of the origins and evolution of the right to property restitution for refugees and internally displaced persons.

Stanford University

It commences with the author hitchhiking to join the tour, then dropping into the Stones's world for months as the cities rush past: Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Detroit, Dallas, New York.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it commenced with" to introduce a formal or significant beginning. It is particularly effective in academic, professional, or historical contexts where a clear and somewhat elevated tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "it commenced with" in casual conversation or informal writing. In such contexts, simpler alternatives like "it started with" or "it began with" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it commenced with" functions as an introductory phrase to indicate the beginning of an event, process, or narrative. The examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, all serving to highlight the initial stage of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it commenced with" is a grammatically correct and usable way to indicate the beginning of an event or action. While not as common as alternatives like "it began with" or "it started with", it offers a more formal tone suitable for academic, scientific, or professional contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is employed across various authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice when a touch of formality is desired. Be mindful of the tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it began with

Synonymous; replaces "commenced" with "began", offering a slightly less formal tone.

it started with

Similar meaning, using "started" which is a more common and informal alternative to "commenced".

it initiated with

Replaces "commenced" with "initiated", maintaining a formal tone but with a slightly different nuance of actively starting something.

it opened with

Implies a formal beginning or unveiling, often used for events or performances.

it arose from

Indicates the origin or source from which something originated, slightly different from a simple beginning.

it stemmed from

Similar to "arose from", suggesting a cause-and-effect relationship and a gradual beginning.

it originated in

Focuses on the place or time of origin, rather than the act of beginning.

it traces back to

Implies a historical perspective, looking back to the initial point or event.

it all started when

An informal way of setting the stage for how something started.

its inception was marked by

A very formal way to express the beginning. Inception indicates a formal start, as in projects and organizations.

FAQs

How can I use "it commenced with" in a sentence?

Use "it commenced with" to introduce the initial action or event in a sequence. For example, "The project was ambitious; it commenced with a thorough review of existing literature."

What is a less formal alternative to "it commenced with"?

Alternatives to "it commenced with" include "it began with" or "it started with". These options are suitable for more casual writing contexts.

Is "it commenced with" interchangeable with "it started with"?

While similar, "it commenced with" carries a slightly more formal tone than "it started with". Choose the phrase that best suits the overall tone and audience of your writing.

When is it best to use "it commenced with" over other alternatives?

Use "it commenced with" when you want to emphasize the formality or significance of the beginning. This phrase is appropriate for academic papers, formal reports, or historical accounts.