would have commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have commenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an action that was expected to start in the past but did not occur, often in hypothetical or conditional statements. Example: "If the weather had been better, the event would have commenced on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The memoir I'd truly like to have read would have commenced as her airplane's wheels left the tarmac at LAX.

The New York Times - Books

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has canceled a planned tour of Europe that would have commenced in 2010 and included performances in Paris and Vienna, The Boston Globe reported.

The New York Times

One would be to have the new lease term -- along with any allowable rent increase -- commence on the date that the renewal lease would have commenced if it had been delivered to the tenant on time.

The New York Times

"Had Pauline been sent to Northwick Park hospital straight from Heathrow, her diagnosis and medical management would have commenced much earlier … Instead, as policy was not followed, this was delayed and she was allowed by PHE staff to fly to Glasgow, travel onwards to her home and potentially put the general public at risk".

The Guardian

We have used cartilage from elderly patients wherein the cellular changes due to ageing would have commenced.

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

The two men exchanged insults on the House floor and would have commenced a physical altercation if not for Riffe's intervention.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The aim of our analyses were (1) to test whether the temporal cue could be used to reduce the conflict effect, and (2) to assess whether conflict-related theta-band activity, reflecting control processes (Cavanagh & Frank, 2014; Cohen, 2014), would already have commenced during the conflict-predicting intervals, thus not exclusively being present during the time of the response.

Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience

"In some areas of Norfolk, where evacuations have commenced, I would urge everybody to work closely and to cooperate with the local authorities".

The Guardian

It would have been impossible to have commenced an attack much earlier than it occurred, and it is doubtful that the Confederacy could have placed the attack in any more secure hands than General Longstreet".

Wikipedia

Never forget, Class of Pre-Napster, you have commenced.

The New Yorker

We regret this error and have commenced self-flagellation.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "begun" or "started" to simplify your language and ensure broader understanding, especially in less formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "would have commenced" when referring to actions that definitely did happen. This phrase indicates something planned but not realized. Instead, use "commenced" or "had commenced" to denote an action that certainly began.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have commenced" functions as a past conditional auxiliary verb phrase. It is used to express a hypothetical action that was intended or expected to begin in the past but did not occur. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase indicates an unfulfilled intention or plan.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would have commenced" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe hypothetical past actions that did not begin. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to consider context and audience when choosing between "would have commenced" and simpler alternatives like "would have begun" or "would have started". The phrase frequently appears in formal writing contexts such as news, science, and business, and you should avoid the typical mistake of confusing this tense with past tenses that imply an action has already occurred. The register can range from neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would have begun

This alternative uses a more common synonym for "commenced", making it slightly more accessible in certain contexts.

would have started

Similar to "would have begun", this option replaces "commenced" with "started", offering a simpler and more widely understood alternative.

would have initiated

This alternative emphasizes the act of starting something, suggesting a more formal or deliberate beginning.

would have launched

Implies a more significant or public start, often used for projects, campaigns, or initiatives.

would have proceeded

Focuses on the continuation of an action after a start, suggesting a sequence or process.

would have undertaken

Suggests the beginning of a complex or significant task or endeavor.

would have convened

Indicates the start of a meeting or assembly.

would have reopened

This is used when the start is not a beginning, but a restart or resumption of an activity after a pause.

would have introduced

The action of introducing marks the beginning of something like a change or new topic.

would have coincided

It refers to two things beginning at the same time

FAQs

How do I use "would have commenced" in a sentence?

Use "would have commenced" to describe an action that was planned or expected to begin in the past but did not actually happen. For example: "If the funding had been approved, the project "would have commenced" last month."

What's a simpler alternative to "would have commenced"?

Alternatives include "would have begun" or "would have started". These options use more common vocabulary while retaining the same meaning.

What is the difference between "would have commenced" and "had commenced"?

"Would have commenced" describes a hypothetical or conditional scenario where an action was expected to start but didn't. "Had commenced" indicates that an action definitely started and was completed or ongoing in the past.

When is it inappropriate to use "would have commenced"?

Avoid using it when discussing events that certainly happened. "Would have commenced" implies uncertainty or a lack of realization. Instead, use "commenced" or "began" when referring to confirmed events.