commenced: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal. Used in official, legal, academic, and professional contexts more often than in casual speech.
Quick answer
What does “commenced” mean?
Began.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Began; started an action, process, or period of time.
To formally initiate something, often with a sense of ceremony, procedure, or official start point. It implies a clear transition from a state of not happening to happening.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use it identically in meaning and register. 'Begun' is more common in everyday speech in both regions.
Connotations
In both, it carries connotations of formality and official procedure.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in legal and official British English, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “commenced” in a Sentence
[Subject] commenced [Object (noun)][Subject] commenced [Gerund/V-ing]It commenced that [clause] (archaic/formal)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “commenced” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The inquest commenced at 10 a.m. sharp.
- He commenced his studies at Cambridge in 2019.
- They commenced drilling for oil in the North Sea.
American English
- The trial commenced after the jury was seated.
- Construction on the new highway commenced last spring.
- She commenced working on the proposal immediately.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The merger proceedings commenced on the first of the month."
Academic
"The study commenced after ethical approval was granted."
Everyday
Less common. "We commenced eating once everyone had arrived." (Sounds formal for the context).
Technical
"The engine commenced its ignition sequence."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commenced”
- Using it in place of 'began' in casual conversation, e.g., 'I commenced watching a film' (unnatural). Incorrect preposition: 'commenced on' (often redundant; 'commenced work' not 'commenced on work').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Register. 'Commenced' is formal and often used for official, legal, or procedural starts. 'Began' is neutral and universal.
Yes, though it's less common. E.g., 'The project was commenced in January.' However, active voice ('They commenced the project...') is more frequent.
No, it can be intransitive. E.g., 'The concert commenced.' It can also be transitive: 'They commenced the concert.'
Yes, it's used in the same formal/procedural register to mean 'started again' after an interruption. E.g., 'The hearing recommenced after the lunch break.'
Began.
Commenced is usually formal. used in official, legal, academic, and professional contexts more often than in casual speech. in register.
Commenced: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈmenst/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmenst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Subject] commenced hostilities”
- “The die is cast; the action has commenced.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a formal COMMITMENT to START. COMMenCED = COMMit + STARTed.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING IS DEPARTURE (commenced a journey), BEGINNING IS OPENING (commenced the proceedings).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'commenced' be LEAST appropriate?