was commenced by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was commenced by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal contexts to indicate the initiation of an action or event by a specific subject. Example: "The project was commenced by the lead architect in early January."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

After waterflooding, EOR was commenced by CO2 slug injection in WAG mode.

Petroleum Science

Calibration was commenced by the monthly average of surface runoff volume (Benaman et al. 2005; Cao et al. 2006).

Applied Water Science

Exploration for the deposit was commenced by the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB), with seven surface boreholes that confirmed the existence of a significant coal deposit.

International Journal of Coal Geology

The coding of these responses was commenced by the first author, shared with the second author for checking, and where needed, revised with mutual agreement.

International Journal of STEM Education

The subsequent immunostaining procedure was commenced by rehydrating the sections with an alcohol series and then treating them for 10 min with dH2O and H2O2 to inactivate the endogenous peroxidase.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

To study the problem, a two-year collaborative program of geotechnical and hydrogeological investigations throughout the current pit and the area in the direction of advance of the pit in accordance with laboratory tests and analyses was commenced by the authors.

Engineering Geology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

On Delta, new travel has to be commenced by Sunday.

The New York Times

A private prosecution is commenced by requesting a summons from the magistrates' court.

The Guardian - Opinion

The costs provisions involve the implementation of section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act, which though enacted by parliament, needs to be commenced by the culture secretary.

The Guardian

The second remaining issue to be subject to the inquiry, often referred to as "costs provisions", involves the implementation of section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013, which though enacted by parliament, needs to be commenced by the culture secretary.

The Guardian

Various initiatives have been commenced by the government to increase biofuel production.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was commenced by" in formal or technical writing when you want to emphasize that an action or process was deliberately started by a specific agent. This phrasing adds a layer of formality compared to alternatives like "was started by".

Common error

Avoid using "was commenced by" in informal communication. Simpler alternatives like "was started by" or "began with" are usually more appropriate for everyday language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was commenced by" functions as a passive construction indicating the beginning of an action or process and identifying the agent responsible. This construction is confirmed by Ludwig's examples, where various processes, investigations, or projects are initiated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was commenced by" is a grammatically correct passive construction that indicates the initiation of an action by a specific entity. According to Ludwig, it is more suited for formal and technical writing due to its formality compared to alternatives like "was started by" or "was initiated by". While reliable sources use the phrase, it's essential to consider the context and choose the most appropriate phrasing for clarity and tone. When writing formally, using the term, ensure to state the responsible party for the action. In more informal settings, simpler alternatives are usually preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was initiated by

Replaces "commenced" with "initiated", offering a slightly more modern and frequently used alternative.

was started by

Uses "started" instead of "commenced", resulting in a simpler and more common phrasing.

was begun by

Employs "begun" as a substitute for "commenced", maintaining a formal tone but with a slightly different nuance.

was inaugurated by

Replaces "commenced" with "inaugurated", suggesting a more formal and often ceremonial beginning.

was triggered by

Uses "triggered" instead of "commenced", implying that something caused the beginning.

was launched by

Substitutes "commenced" with "launched", often used for projects, campaigns, or products.

was activated by

Employs "activated" to replace "commenced", indicating something was set into motion.

was implemented by

Uses "implemented" instead of "commenced", emphasizing the execution of a plan or system.

was undertaken by

Replaces "commenced" with "undertaken", suggesting a deliberate and significant effort was started.

was instituted by

Uses "instituted" instead of "commenced", implying the establishment of a rule, practice, or system.

FAQs

What does "was commenced by" mean?

The phrase "was commenced by" indicates that something was started or initiated by a particular person, group, or entity. It is a more formal way of saying "was started by".

When is it appropriate to use "was commenced by"?

It's best to use "was commenced by" in formal writing, technical documentation, or legal contexts where a high degree of precision and formality is required. In casual conversation or informal writing, simpler alternatives may be preferred.

What are some alternatives to "was commenced by"?

You can use alternatives like "was initiated by", "was started by", or "was begun by" depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is there a difference between "was commenced by" and "was started by"?

While both phrases convey the same basic meaning, "was commenced by" is generally considered more formal and less common than "was started by". The choice depends on the tone and register of your writing.