were commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were commenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal contexts to indicate that an action or process was started in the past. Example: "The construction of the new bridge was commenced last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Proceedings against Ms Wheeler were commenced on 22 January 2013 by way of summons for an alleged offence of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

The Guardian

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

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Good practice lessons as well results of implementation of these requirements for buildings were commenced.

Procedia Engineering

She was admitted to the orthopaedic surgery high dependency unit, and intravenous (IV) antibiotics were commenced.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Un-blinding was done after randomization had been closed, and collation and analysis were commenced.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Broad-spectrum antibiotics were commenced and the limb splinted in a backslab.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Oral moxifloxacin 400 mg once daily and topical fortified vancomycin, fortified ceftazidime, and prednisolone 1% were commenced.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Systemic antibiotics were commenced with oral ciprofloxacin and intravenous vancomycin, and anterior chamber (AC) and vitreous sampling performed.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

A set of questions enquiring into point prevalence were commenced with the screening question "Did you have headache yesterday?".

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Objectives: We analysed all patients admitted to our tertiary ICU who were commenced on CRRT over a 2 year period.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Large projects were commenced.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were commenced" in formal writing or when aiming for a more sophisticated tone. It is particularly appropriate in legal, academic, or official contexts where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "were commenced" in informal conversation or casual writing. Simpler alternatives like "were started" or "began" are more appropriate and natural in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were commenced" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action or process was started by an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were commenced" is a grammatically correct and relatively common passive verb phrase used to indicate the beginning of an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic, scientific, and legal contexts. While "were commenced" conveys a sense of authority and precision, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation where simpler alternatives like "were started" are more appropriate. Usage analysis reveals that "were commenced" is most frequently found in scientific publications, followed by news media. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively incorporate "were commenced" into their work while avoiding overuse in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were initiated

Replaces "commenced" with "initiated", a synonym emphasizing a formal beginning.

were started

Substitutes "commenced" with the simpler and more common "started".

were begun

Uses "begun", another synonym for "commenced", suggesting a slightly more literary tone.

were launched

Implies a more significant or public beginning, like a project or campaign.

were established

Suggests the start of something with the intention of it being permanent or long-lasting.

were instituted

Indicates a formal introduction or establishment of a rule, system, or policy.

were activated

Implies the beginning of a process or system that was previously inactive.

were triggered

Suggests that something specific caused the action to start.

were underway

Emphasizes that the process has started and is now in progress.

were implemented

Focuses on the putting into effect or execution of a plan or system.

FAQs

How can I use "were commenced" in a sentence?

You can use "were commenced" to indicate the beginning of an action or process in the past. For example, "The proceedings "were commenced" on January 22, 2013."

What can I say instead of "were commenced"?

You can use alternatives like "were started", "were begun", or "were initiated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were commenced" or "was commenced"?

"Were commenced" is used when referring to a plural subject, while "was commenced" is used with a singular subject. For example, "The experiments were commenced" (plural) versus "The experiment was commenced" (singular).

What is the difference between "were commenced" and "were started"?

"Were commenced" is more formal and less frequently used than "were started". The latter is generally preferred in less formal contexts, while "were commenced" adds a tone of officialdom or sophistication.