was commencing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was commencing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action was beginning in the past. Example: "The ceremony was commencing when the rain started to fall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Granted, he was commencing a campaign in extraordinary circumstances.

The New York Times

The cancer was diagnosed in July 2001, just before her 30th birthday and just as work on "Lost" was commencing.

The New York Times

Over at the Park Slope Public Library, on Sixth Avenue at Ninth Street, voting in New York's primaries was commencing.

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian

Nearing the last out Sunday of a game stretched to six hours by rain delays and extra innings, the tick-tock was commencing well after Ranaudo rubbed up the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

The federal trial of Dylann Roof was commencing, eighteen months after he shot and killed nine African-American congregants at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, during evening Bible study, a crime he had confessed to on video in horrific detail and without remorse.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

With Colonel Shaw leading, the assault was commenced".

The New York Times

The immigration department confirmed to Guardian Australia the AFP investigation was commenced at its request.

The Guardian

The project to build West Burton B was commenced as far back as 2007.

The Guardian

"If she had reported it in May, an investigation would have been commenced several weeks before it actually was commenced," said the commissioner, Richard J. Condon.

The New York Times

The synthesis was commenced from octanal 63.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was commencing" when you want to add a touch of formality or precision to your writing, especially when describing the start of a significant event or process.

Common error

Avoid using "was commencing" in very informal contexts or conversations, as it can sound overly formal. Simpler alternatives like "was starting" or "was beginning" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was commencing" functions as a progressive verb phrase, indicating an action that was in the process of beginning at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to describe the unfolding of events, like a campaign or a trial.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was commencing" is a grammatically sound and valid progressive verb phrase that indicates the beginning of an action in the past. While it carries a more formal tone, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedic content. More common, less sophisticated alternatives such as "was starting" or "was beginning" might be preferred in less formal contexts. When aiming for precision in describing the start of a significant event, "was commencing" provides a nuanced and appropriate choice. Be mindful of the context to ensure the level of formality aligns with the writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was starting

This alternative uses a more common and less formal synonym for "commencing".

was beginning

This alternative is very similar in meaning and formality to "was starting".

was initiating

This alternative implies a more deliberate and planned start.

was getting underway

This alternative suggests that the action had reached a point where progress was being made.

was setting out

This alternative emphasizes the start of a journey or task.

was embarking on

This alternative suggests starting something new and important.

was undertaking

This alternative emphasizes a formal and possibly challenging beginning.

was launching

This alternative suggests a public or formal start, often associated with projects or initiatives.

was instigating

This alternative is suitable when referring to an action that causes something to happen.

was triggering

This alternative implies that the beginning was caused by something specific.

FAQs

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

"Was commencing" indicates the start of an action in the past. For example, "The ceremony "was commencing" when the rain started to fall".

What are some alternatives to "was commencing"?

You can use alternatives like "was starting", "was beginning", or "was initiating" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "was commencing" instead of "was starting"?

"Was commencing" is more formal and may be suitable for official documents, reports, or when describing significant events. "Was starting" is generally acceptable in all contexts.

Is "was commencing" interchangeable with "had commenced"?

While both indicate a start, "was commencing" implies a continuous action in the past, whereas "had commenced" suggests that the action started and potentially finished before another point in the past.