it was commencing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was commencing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was beginning or starting in the past. Example: "As the sun began to set, it was commencing to rain lightly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Consumer Affairs Victoria confirmed on Friday afternoon that it was commencing legal proceedings against her for "misleading and deceptive conduct".

The Guardian

When Carlson filed the suit earlier this month, 21st Century Fox said that it was commencing an internal review into the allegations, but that it had "full confidence in Mr. Ailes and Mr. Doocy, who have served the company brilliantly for over two decades".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There were 295 patients in this group, 20 were excluded from further analysis because records showed oxygen was removed before it was commenced, or that the patient had died before commencement, thus invalidating their record.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Mr. Abrams added, "This litigation is so self-evidently lacking in merit and so ludicrous on its face that it is difficult to imagine that it was commenced for any reason but to seek to intimidate".

The New York Times

It was commenced in the 60s by the late Roye England, a thin, bespectacled vicar manque in beret and mac who ate only Crunchies, black bananas and boiled eggs "because they were quick", so leaving time for his layout.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was commenced to address Metro Manila's urban planning and transportation.

Wikipedia

We found short term NIV beneficial, possibly because it was commenced earlier than in studies performed following different types of surgery and in a population of normal weight.

BMC Anesthesiology

The coils were re-shimmed and water suppression parameters adjusted over the next 90 s so as to recommence data acquisition at 13 °C as close as possible to 5 min later than it was commenced at 8 °C.

Biomaterials

He thought about the last war-the waste, blood, and foolishness Yes, it is commencing all over again.

The New Yorker

This battle of federal agencies coincided with the EPA's official announcement that it is commencing a five-year review of the cleanup.

Huffington Post

This outline defined three key aspects of PFMT from the perspective of the researchers (i.e. that it be commenced preoperatively, that it be supervised by a physiotherapist or continence nurse, and that it include observation-based feedback).

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was commencing" when you want to indicate the beginning of an event or process in a slightly more formal or literary way than "it was starting" or "it was beginning".

Common error

Avoid using "it was commencing" in very informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it might sound stilted or overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it was starting" or "it was beginning" in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was commencing" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of an action or state in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct. The phrase combines a subject pronoun ("it"), a past tense auxiliary verb ("was"), and a present participle ("commencing") to form a continuous past action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was commencing" is a grammatically sound way to express that something was beginning in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various real-world examples, mainly from News & Media, Science and Formal & Business domains. While "commencing" is a more formal synonym of "starting" or "beginning", it's important to consider the context to avoid sounding overly stilted in informal settings. Remember that choosing alternative phrases like "it was starting" or "it was beginning" can often make your writing more accessible. Understanding the nuances of formality and context will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was beginning

Replaces "commencing" with a more common synonym, "beginning".

it was starting

Substitutes "commencing" with "starting", another frequent synonym.

it was initiating

Uses a more formal synonym, "initiating", for "commencing".

it was being initiated

Changes the verb to passive voice with the same meaning of initiating

it was getting underway

Replaces the single verb with a phrasal verb indicating the start of an activity.

it marked the commencement of

Uses a noun form of "commence" to describe the beginning.

it was in the process of starting

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the beginning phase.

it was setting in motion

Replaces the verb with a more descriptive phrase suggesting the start of a process.

it saw the start of

Restructures the sentence to focus on what experienced the beginning.

it was taking off

Uses a more figurative expression to denote a beginning or rapid start.

FAQs

What does "it was commencing" mean?

The phrase "it was commencing" means something was beginning or starting. It is a slightly more formal way of saying "it was starting" or "it was beginning".

When is it appropriate to use "it was commencing"?

The phrase "it was commencing" is appropriate in formal writing or when you want to add a touch of elegance to your language. However, in casual conversation, simpler alternatives may be preferable.

How can I replace "it was commencing" in a sentence?

You can replace "it was commencing" with phrases like "it was starting", "it was beginning", or "it was getting underway", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "it was commencing" and "it is commencing"?

Yes, "it was commencing" refers to something that was starting in the past, while "it is commencing" refers to something that is starting in the present. The verb tense indicates the time frame of the action.