when he commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when he commenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the time at which someone started an action or activity. Example: "When he commenced his speech, the audience was already captivated by his presence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

White was a not so young man pushing 40 when he commenced his nationwide travels and penned the book.

Huffington Post

Lindwall's formal cricket education began the following year when he commenced his secondary schooling at Marist Brothers Kogarah.

Wikipedia

He was stationed at Camp Travis, Texas until June 1920, when he commenced studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which he graduated in August 1921, with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He eats with his knife and accompanies every gesture, every movement with his hand, with that implement, which he grasps firmly when he commences his meal and never puts down until he leaves the table.

The New Yorker

The Catalonian managed Henry at Barcelona and will reinforce his status as the highest paid head coach in the world when he commences his new three-year contract at the Etihad, expected to include an annual sum in the region of €20m (£15.5m).

Independent

But the desire to do something greater gnawed at him, and when hostilities commenced, he decided to do everything he could to capture the war through the all-seeing eye of the camera.

The New York Times

Bill's significant business career commenced when he joined Van Heusen Corp in 1950 as a trainee.

The New York Times

Besson was in a relationship with Maïwenn Le Besco, who played the role of Diva Plavalaguna, for six years when filming commenced; however, he left her for Jovovich during filming.

Wikipedia

When the battle commenced he insisted on making the charge with the rest, but collapsed within a short distance.

Wikipedia

Hed set aside his ice ax and crouched over to tighten his crampon when he lost his balance and commenced a long slide that left him crushed against the boulders at the bottom of the glacier.

Forbes

Most participants enrol when they commence biologics.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "when he commenced" is grammatically sound, consider your audience. In less formal contexts, "when he started" or "when he began" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "when he commenced" in casual conversation or informal writing. The formality can sound stilted or unnatural. Choose simpler alternatives for everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when he commenced" functions as a subordinate conjunction introducing a dependent clause that specifies the time at which an action began. It sets the temporal context for the main clause. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when he commenced" is a grammatically correct way to indicate the starting point of an action, as confirmed by Ludwig. While technically sound, its formal tone makes it less common than alternatives like "when he started" or "when he began". The usage analysis reveals that it appears in News & Media, Wiki and Science sources. Considering its formality, it's best reserved for professional or scientific contexts where a more elevated tone is appropriate. In everyday conversation, simpler alternatives will likely sound more natural. Ludwig shows it is important to pick the right tone depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when he started

Uses a more common and informal verb, "started", instead of "commenced".

when he began

Replaces "commenced" with "began", a synonym with similar formality.

upon his commencement

Changes the structure to a noun phrase, making it slightly more formal.

at the commencement of his

Uses a more formal and verbose structure with "at the commencement of".

as he initiated

Replaces "commenced" with "initiated", implying a more deliberate beginning.

from the moment he commenced

Adds emphasis on the specific moment the action began.

the instant he commenced

Highlights the immediacy of the start of the action.

at the point he commenced

Specifies a particular point in time for the start.

on the occasion he commenced

Indicates the start occurred during a specific event or occasion.

after he commenced

Focuses on the period following the commencement.

FAQs

What does "when he commenced" mean?

The phrase "when he commenced" means the point in time that he started or began something. It's a more formal way of saying "when he started" or "when he began".

Is "when he commenced" formal or informal?

"When he commenced" is more formal. Alternatives like "when he started" or "when he began" are more commonly used in everyday speech and writing.

How can I use "when he commenced" in a sentence?

You can use "when he commenced" to introduce a clause indicating the start of an action. For example, "When he commenced his journey, he was full of hope."

What are some alternatives to "when he commenced"?

Alternatives to "when he commenced" include "when he began", "when he started", or "upon his commencement". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality.