commence
C1formal
Definition
Meaning
to begin or start (an activity, process, or event)
to formally or officially initiate something; to enter into a beginning stage.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Used more commonly in formal, official, or ceremonial contexts than 'begin' or 'start'. Implies a degree of formality, ceremony, or official declaration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English than American English. In AmE, 'begin', 'start', or 'kick off' are often preferred in everyday contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes formality and official initiation. Can sound slightly pompous if used for trivial everyday actions.
Frequency
High frequency in formal/legal documents (both BrE and AmE). Higher frequency in general BrE writing and speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
commence + noun (transitive)commence + V-ing (transitive)commence (intransitive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “commence hostilities”
- “to commence with (as an introductory phrase)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for official start dates: 'The project will commence on the first of April.'
Academic
Used in formal writing: 'The study commenced with a preliminary survey.'
Everyday
Rare in casual speech; 'start' or 'begin' are standard.
Technical
Common in legal and procedural contexts: 'The court will now commence the hearing.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The ceremony will commence at noon sharp.
- We commenced digging the foundations last week.
American English
- The hearing commenced after the judge entered.
- Construction is scheduled to commence in the fall.
adverb
British English
- (No common adverbial form; 'commencingly' is non-standard.)
American English
- (No common adverbial form; 'commencingly' is non-standard.)
adjective
British English
- (No common adjectival use; 'commencing' is a present participle.)
American English
- (No common adjectival use; 'commencing' is a present participle.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The film commences at seven o'clock.
- School commences in September.
- The meeting will commence as soon as the CEO arrives.
- They commenced building the new bridge.
- Legal proceedings were commenced against the company.
- The orchestra commenced playing the national anthem.
- The arbitration process shall commence within thirty days of receipt.
- Upon signing the contract, the licence agreement immediately commences.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a formal COMMENCEMENT ceremony at a university—that's when studies officially END and careers BEGIN.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY ('embark on'), CEREMONY ('inaugurate'), PROCESS ('initiate')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid overusing where 'начинать' (begin/start) is appropriate in casual contexts. It maps more closely to 'приступать' or 'начинать (официально)'. Do not confuse with 'коментировать' (to comment).
Common Mistakes
- Using it for informal actions: 'I commenced eating my lunch' (sounds odd).
- Incorrect preposition: 'commence with' (can be correct as a phrasal verb) vs. 'commence on' (usually incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'commence' used most appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially yes, but it carries a strong formal or official connotation. Using it for everyday actions can sound unnatural or pretentious.
Yes, it can be intransitive: 'The ceremony commenced.' It is also commonly transitive: 'They commenced the meeting.'
The noun is 'commencement', which means a beginning, and is famously used for university graduation ceremonies.
'Initiate' often implies causing a process to begin, especially a complex one, and can involve an agent. 'Commence' focuses more on the event itself starting, often at a declared point in time.
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