when they commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they commenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the time at which a particular action or event began. Example: "The team was excited to see the results of their hard work when they commenced the project last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

However inconsistencies do occur such as 7 men and 3 women reporting a younger current age than when they commenced sexual activity.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Moreover, only 15% of those new to self-monitoring who were adjusting their own dosage of anticoagulation therapy had received in-person training when they commenced self-monitoring.

British Journal of General Practice

[MFH2-30 months] Similarly, while many men reported that they would like to have partners of a similar HIV serostatus to their own, when they commenced sexual relationships, they rarely enquired about the HIV serostatus of their partners.

BMC Public Health

Overall, the majority lived with a spouse/family, were 50 days post-stroke when they commenced post-inpatient therapy, typically walked independently indoors, and had a mild-moderate level of disability (median mRS 3, IQR 2 to 3).

BMC Health Services Research

In the APAP-injured liver, we first found several hepatocytes that were labeled as abnormal by RITC-dextran and, among them, some retained CF. These CF-retaining hepatocytes were further separated into NCFR and ECFR cells, according to when they commenced CF retention during microscopic observation.

Cell Death and Disease

* Does not total 100% as only most common responses included * More than one answer could be given For each herbal supplement they used, women were asked to describe what form of the supplement they used; why they used it; when they commenced taking it; when the supplement was ceased; who recommended the supplements use; and if they considered the supplement had been of help.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Its centerpiece was that all children moving from kindergarten to Prep would receive a Transition Learning and Development Statement that would facilitate key information about individual children to transfer to the school when they commence.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Iota and upsilon, which in Alexandrinus and many other manuscripts have two dots over them (diaeresis) when they commence a syllable – sometimes only one dot – have in the Codex Ephraemi a small straight line in their place.

Wikipedia

Most participants enrol when they commence biologics.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

As described [ 8, 9], this trial was designed to annually assess musculo-skeletal development in children when they commence school.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Whereas medical tourism companies routinely issue press releases and attract news media coverage when they commence operations, these businesses typically do not issue press releases or receive news coverage when they close.

Globalization and Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when they commenced" in formal writing to add a touch of sophistication. However, be mindful of your audience; in more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "when they started" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "when they commenced" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "when they started" or "when they began" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they commenced" functions as an adverbial clause of time. This means it modifies a verb, indicating when an action occurred. As Ludwig points out, it is considered correct and usable in written English, though it leans toward formal usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when they commenced" is a grammatically sound adverbial clause used to specify the timing of an action. Ludwig AI indicates that it's correct and usable, although more formal than alternatives. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related sources, this phrase provides a clear temporal relationship but may sound stilted in informal settings. Consider simpler alternatives like "when they started" or "when they began" for casual contexts. The phrase's formality makes it well-suited for academic writing and professional communication, but less appropriate for everyday conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when they began

Replaces "commenced" with a simpler and more common synonym.

once they started

Replaces "commenced" with a simpler synonym and uses "once" for a slightly different nuance of timing.

upon their start

This alternative uses a more concise prepositional phrase instead of a clause.

as they initiated

Uses a different verb with similar meaning, offering a slightly more active voice.

at the commencement of their

This option rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize the start as a point in time, adding formality.

at their initiation

Uses a noun form to replace the verb, creating a more formal tone.

from the beginning of their

This alternative focuses on the entire period from the start, rather than the single action of starting.

with the start of their

Emphasizes the beginning as an event, slightly shifting the focus.

at the point they initiated

More verbose, highlighting the specific moment of beginning.

as they got underway

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of starting an activity.

FAQs

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

Use "when they commenced" to indicate the time at which a group or individuals began an activity or process. For example: "The problems became apparent "when they commenced" the second phase of the project."

What's a simpler way to say "when they commenced"?

You can often replace "when they commenced" with phrases like "when they started" or "when they began". These alternatives are less formal and more commonly used.

Is "when they commenced" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "when they commenced" is generally considered too formal for casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "when they started" or "as soon as they began" in informal settings.

Which is correct, "when they commenced" or "when they commence"?

"When they commenced" (past tense) refers to a completed action in the past. "When they commence" (present tense) refers to a future action. The choice depends on the context and the timing of the action you're describing.