they were commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were commenced" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would typically be "they commenced" or "they were started." Example: "The project was delayed because they were commenced too late in the season."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As recommended, the patients were vaccinated before they were commenced on eculizumab.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

One study found a prevalence of psychosis of 3.7% in patients after they were commenced on topiramate [ 65].

BMC Psychiatry

They were commenced on 150 mg aspirin daily (day 0) and had platelet function assessment (OPA and PFA-100) and quantitative analysis of serum/urine TXB2 at day ⩾7 and then at a second visit approximately 2 weeks later.

Heart

Patients recruited to the Norfolk Arthritis Register (NOAR), a primary care based inception cohort of patients with inflammatory polyarthritis, were eligible for this analysis if they were commenced on MTX as their first DMARD within 3 months of their baseline visit and had at least 2 years of follow-up data.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

With most of the herbal remedies there was no pattern to the gestation at which they were commenced, with the exceptions of raspberry leaf, which was used from 30 weeks gestation or later in the 89% of cases, and ginger, where 98% of women commenced taking it in early pregnancy.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Conclusions: A patient presenting to ICU with an AVH is predicted to have a significantly worse outcome if they are commenced on inotropic support, with mortality rising to 92 % from 43 %.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

A spokesman for PwC said: "We can confirm that we have received a letter from the FRC informing us that they are commencing an investigation.

The Guardian - Business

Twenty sheep were commenced on veno-venous ECMO (VV ECMO).

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Large projects were commenced.

Wikipedia

Tests were commenced after one hour of habituation.

Plosone

Intravenous ceftriaxone and metronidazole were commenced.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for active voice constructions like "they began" or "they started" for clearer and more concise writing. This enhances readability and directness.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences using "they were commenced" as it is often perceived as awkward and grammatically weak. Instead, use a direct, active voice to convey action more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were commenced" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something was started or initiated by an unspecified agent. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing is not considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

80%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were commenced" is a passive construction used to indicate the start of an action or process. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not considered standard English and is often perceived as awkward. It appears infrequently, primarily in scientific and news contexts. For clearer and more effective writing, it's recommended to use active voice alternatives such as "they began" or "they started".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they began

This alternative uses a more direct and active voice, replacing the passive construction with a simple past tense verb.

they started

Similar to "they began", this offers a straightforward and active way to express the commencement of an action.

the process was initiated

This maintains the passive voice but uses "initiated" which can sound more formal or technical.

the proceedings began

This is suitable when referring to a formal process or set of actions, replacing 'they' with 'the proceedings'.

action was taken

This phrase focuses on the action itself, rather than the actors, and is often used in formal contexts.

steps were taken

Similar to "action was taken", this emphasizes the initiation of a series of steps or measures.

they got underway

This idiom expresses that something has started, especially a project or journey.

implementation started

Suitable when referring to the start of putting a plan or system into effect.

the launch occurred

Appropriate when referring to the beginning of a product, project, or campaign.

the opening happened

This alternative focuses on the event of something opening or starting, often used for ceremonies or debuts.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "they were commenced"?

Alternatives include "they began", "they started", or "the process was initiated", depending on the context.

Is "they were commenced" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "they were commenced" is not considered standard English. Using active voice constructions is generally preferred for clarity.

When should I avoid using "they were commenced"?

It's best to avoid "they were commenced" in formal writing. Opt for stronger, more direct alternatives like "they began" or "they initiated".

What does it mean when something "commenced"?

"Commenced" means started or began. However, saying "they were commenced" is an awkward passive construction; it's better to say "they began" or "they started".