once commencing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once commencing" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something will happen after a starting point, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "Once commencing the project, we will need to allocate resources effectively."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1848 he arrived in San Francisco and at once commenced purchasing real estate, acquiring holdings not only in Santa Clara Valley but also at Lake Tahoe, on Santa Catalina Island, and in Nevada.

Britannica

In another chapter in "The Quotable Abigail Adams," called "War," Abigail reminds us that it is sometimes better to "suffer temporary privations, than the calamities of War, which when once commenced, no one can calculate or estimate".

The New Yorker

A few seconds after his first effort (it was the male) he was joined by his mate, and she at once commenced to respond with a peculiar, low, buzzing or grunting note, like 'gaw-gaw-gaw,' undoubtedly a note of approval or endearment.

The New Yorker

We're surrounded by a sea of darkness!," thus signalling the end of that strange, ritualistic intermission; and then, with much relief, we turned or took our gazes away from the dark window and, talking animatedly all at once, commenced to drink the night away.

The New Yorker

The failure in the vehicle color, once commenced, was seen continued consecutively with three to four final products.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Once commenced, retaliation is rarely limited to one or two vindictive managers and is likely to include close friends and colleagues who often join in shunning, accusing, and sabotaging the worker who blew the whistle and exposed the elephant in the room -- wrongdoing that was previously kept quiet.

HuffPost

However, once commenced, the reaction apparently occurs steadily.

Chemistry of Materials

Once commenced on ART the rate of both scheduled and unscheduled visits fell until 17to3232 weeks on ART, after which they stabilized.

BMC Health Services Research

Once commenced on treatment, the majority (81.2%) complete the prescribed course and if treatment is stopped early it is usually because of a fall in left ventricular ejection fraction.

British Journal of Cancer

Once commenced on treatment, arrangements are made for routine follow up but attendance is low, largely because of a combination of travel times (rural areas), difficulty taking time off work (urban areas), and long waits in clinics.

BMC Health Services Research

For example: Canadian courts have recognized a common law right of patients to refuse consent to medical treatment, or to demand that treatment, once commenced, be withdrawn or discontinued.

Bioethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives such as "after commencing" or "upon commencement" for improved clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "once commencing" in informal contexts, as it can sound overly formal and stilted. Opt for simpler phrasing like "after starting" or "when beginning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once commencing" functions as a temporal conjunction, indicating that something will happen after the action of commencing begins. Although grammatically sound, Ludwig AI shows that it's not a common expression.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once commencing" is grammatically correct but infrequently used in contemporary English. Ludwig AI indicates that it's better to opt for more common and clearer alternatives such as "after commencing" or "upon commencement". While the phrase isn't incorrect, its infrequent usage can make writing sound stilted. When writing, consider the context and audience; simpler alternatives are often preferable for clarity and readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after commencing

Replaces "once" with "after", providing a more direct temporal relationship.

upon commencement

Uses the noun form of the verb and "upon" to denote the start of something.

when commencing

Replaces "once" with "when", indicating a temporal condition.

on commencing

Uses "on" followed by the gerund, which is slightly more formal.

following commencement

Similar to "upon commencement" but uses "following" for a slightly different nuance.

after the commencement of

A more verbose and formal way to express the same idea.

with the commencement of

Emphasizes the simultaneous nature of events.

at the start of commencing

Adds emphasis to the initial phase of commencing something.

as commencement begins

Breaks down the gerund into a more descriptive clause.

having commenced

Uses a perfect participle to indicate an action completed before another.

FAQs

How can I use "once commencing" in a sentence?

While grammatically sound, "once commencing" is not frequently used. A sentence example could be: "Once commencing the project, we will need to allocate resources effectively." However, consider using alternatives for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "once commencing"?

You can use alternatives like "after commencing", "upon commencement", or "when commencing" depending on the context.

Is "once commencing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "once commencing" is grammatically correct, but it is not a common phrase. There are more standard and clearer ways to express the same idea.

When should I use "once commencing" versus "after commencing"?

"After commencing" is generally preferred because it is more direct and commonly used. "Once commencing" can sound more formal or archaic, so choose "after commencing" unless a very formal tone is desired.