was supposed to commence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was supposed to commence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was planned or expected to start at a certain time but may not have occurred as intended. Example: "The meeting was supposed to commence at 10 AM, but it was delayed due to technical issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Construction work on what is thought to be one of the world's richest copper deposits, outside this rusting town near the Congo border, was supposed to commence on New Year's Day, signifying a turn toward better times in Zambia's struggling mining industry.

The New York Times

Originally, construction was supposed to commence in January 2008.

Wikipedia

It was certainly instructional to hear, as hard as it might have been to hear that the entire nation had not en masse signed on for the post-partisan epoch that was supposed to commence that very day.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

At the start of a panic attack, you are supposed to commence the catechism: what am I afraid of?

The Guardian - Opinion

Clemens, 45, has a personal services contract with the Astros that is supposed to commence after he officially retires.

The New York Times - Sports

Like all first pitches, Jordan Leandre, a pediatric cancer survivor, was supposed to lob the ball toward home plate to commence the game, just like he did 10 years ago on the same field after he recovered from cancer.

Huffington Post

The leadership transition that will commence this autumn was supposed to put an end to that kind of political bloodshed.

The New York Times

He was supposed to.

The New Yorker

Art was supposed to uplift.

The New York Times - Arts

Funkadelic was supposed to rock".

Independent

It was supposed to last 60 days.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was supposed to commence" when you want to express that an event or action was planned to begin at a certain time, but there's an implication that it might not have happened as scheduled. It's useful for conveying a sense of expectation and potential deviation from the plan.

Common error

Avoid using "was supposed to commence" in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "was meant to start" or "was going to begin" would be more appropriate. The phrase's formality can sound unnatural in casual conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was supposed to commence" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a planned or expected beginning. Ludwig examples show its use in describing construction work and contractual obligations, suggesting an anticipated start point that may or may not have been realized.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was supposed to commence" is a grammatically correct way to express that something was planned or expected to start, although it might not have occurred as intended. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to communicate an anticipated beginning, often with a hint of potential deviation from the plan. While "commence" leans towards formality, the phrase as a whole is suitable for neutral registers. Simpler alternatives such as "was scheduled to begin" or "was intended to start" may be more appropriate for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was set to commence

Indicates a confirmed or prepared start.

was expected to commence

Focuses on the expectation or anticipation of the start.

was slated to start

Suggests that the start was officially listed or planned.

was scheduled to begin

Emphasizes that the start was formally planned or timetabled.

was due to begin

Implies that the start was set or obligated to happen.

was planned to commence

Highlights the planning process behind the start.

was intended to start

Highlights the intention or purpose behind the start.

was arranged to begin

Implies that specific arrangements were made for the start.

was programmed to begin

Conveys a structured or automated start.

was designed to start

Indicates that the start was a deliberate part of a design or system.

FAQs

How can I use "was supposed to commence" in a sentence?

You can use "was supposed to commence" to indicate that something was planned or expected to begin at a certain time. For instance, "The meeting "was supposed to commence" at 9 AM, but it was delayed."

What are some alternatives to "was supposed to commence"?

Alternatives include "was scheduled to begin", "was intended to start", or "was expected to commence", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "was supposed to commence" formal or informal?

"Was supposed to commence" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, phrases like "was meant to start" or "was going to begin" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "was supposed to commence" and "was scheduled to commence"?

"Was scheduled to commence" implies a more definite plan or timetable. "Was supposed to commence" simply indicates an expectation or intention, which might be less formally arranged.