the match commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the match commenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the beginning of a sporting event or competition. Example: "As the referee blew the whistle, the match commenced with great anticipation from the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The match commenced at 9 a.m.

Huffington Post

Before the match commenced, Jackson collapsed after coughing up blood and was rushed to hospital.

Wikipedia

Before the match commenced, the national anthem was sung by Juliette Pochin.

Wikipedia

Players were asked to "watch your coccyxes" before the match commenced.

Wikipedia

English rock band Embrace provided pre-match entertainment and Britain's Got Talent finalist Lucy Kay sung the national anthem before the match commenced.

Wikipedia

The match commenced on Thursday, 22 June, to take advantage of two half-day holidays while the college team played their annual match against Old Cliftonians nearby.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

While Golden Boy is a licensed promoter, Mr. Michelman said the evidence he had seen indicated that Golden Boy had not signed a contract with the other production entities when the matches commenced last month.

The New York Times

A short sprint to the cake table serves me as a final warm-up and then the match commences.

The Economist

When negotiations for a Kramnik versus computer match commenced in October 2000, the obvious opponent was the German program Shredder, the reigning World Computer Chess Champion.

The Guardian - Tech

After another brief interruption, a 23-over match commenced only 20 minutes before the cut-off time off 13 32.

BBC

Our match commenced at midnight.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the match commenced" in formal writing or when aiming for a slightly elevated tone. For everyday conversation or less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "the game started" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "the match commenced" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound stilted or pretentious. Choose simpler alternatives like "the game began" or "the match started" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the match commenced" functions as a declarative statement indicating the beginning of a sporting event or competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase, with examples demonstrating its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the match commenced" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the start of a sporting event or competition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While correct, the phrase carries a slightly formal tone, making it more suitable for news reports, formal announcements, or encyclopedic entries rather than casual conversation. Alternatives such as "the game began" or "the match started" may be more appropriate in less formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Wiki" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the game began

This alternative is a more common and less formal way to express the start of a game, substituting "commenced" with the more straightforward "began".

the match started

This alternative uses "started", a simple and universally understood term, in place of "commenced", making it slightly less formal.

the game initiated

This alternative replaces "commenced" with "initiated", which is still formal but can imply a more planned or structured beginning.

the contest got underway

This alternative uses the idiomatic expression "got underway", implying that the contest is in progress after the initial preparations.

the competition began

This alternative substitutes "match" with "competition", broadening the context to any form of contest, and uses "began" for simplicity.

play got underway

This alternative emphasizes the action of "play" starting, which is suitable for sporting events where active participation is key.

the event kicked off

This alternative uses the phrasal verb "kicked off", a more informal term typically used in sports to indicate the start of the game.

the proceedings started

This alternative uses "proceedings" to refer to the match, and "started" as a simple way to describe the beginning.

the battle was joined

This alternative is a more figurative and dramatic way of saying the match began, implying a struggle or intense competition.

the duel began

This alternative uses "duel" instead of "match", implying a one-on-one contest. "Began" is a more simple substitute for commenced.

FAQs

What does "the match commenced" mean?

The phrase "the match commenced" means that a game, contest, or sporting event has begun. It's a somewhat formal way of saying that the match has started.

What are some alternatives to "the match commenced"?

You can use alternatives like "the game began", "the match started", or "the contest got underway" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "the match commenced"?

This phrase is suitable for formal writing, news reports, or official announcements. It is less common in casual conversation, where simpler phrases are preferred.

Is "the match commenced" grammatically correct?

Yes, "the match commenced" is grammatically correct. The verb "commenced" is used in the past tense to indicate that the action of starting has already happened.