commencing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “commencing” mean?
The act of beginning or starting something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of beginning or starting something
Formally initiating a process, event, or activity; marking the start point of an ongoing action or state
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'commencing' similarly, though British English shows a slightly higher frequency in legal/official contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, suggests formality, officialdom, or ceremony. Slightly more bureaucratic connotation in American English.
Frequency
More common in British legal and procedural documents. In American English, 'starting' or 'beginning' is preferred in everyday contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “commencing” in a Sentence
commencing [time phrase]commencing [activity]commencing with [preparatory action][event] is commencingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “commencing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ceremony is commencing at three o'clock sharp.
- Construction will be commencing following planning approval.
American English
- The trial is commencing despite the objections.
- Operations commence commencing at dawn tomorrow.
adverb
British English
- Commencing immediately, all staff must wear badges.
- Commencing next week, we'll have new schedules.
American English
- Commencing tomorrow, parking rules will change.
- Commencing September 1st, tuition increases apply.
adjective
British English
- The commencing date for the contract is variable.
- Her commencing salary was quite competitive.
American English
- The commencing speaker outlined the agenda.
- Commencing employees receive orientation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contracts, project timelines, and official announcements: 'Services commencing 1st April.'
Academic
Found in research papers and course descriptions: 'The study period is commencing next semester.'
Everyday
Rare in casual speech; appears in formal notices: 'Work commencing Monday.'
Technical
Used in engineering, computing, and procedural documentation: 'Process commencing upon system initialisation.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commencing”
- Using in casual conversation ('I'm commencing to cook dinner' - too formal)
- Spelling: 'comencing' (one m)
- Confusing with 'commenting'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are synonyms, but 'commencing' is more formal and typically used in official, legal, or procedural contexts, while 'beginning' is neutral and used in all registers.
It would sound unusually formal. Native speakers typically use 'starting' or 'beginning' in casual speech. 'Commencing' is best reserved for written or formal spoken contexts.
'Commencing' refers to the action of beginning, while 'inception' refers to the starting point or origin itself. 'Commencing' is verbal/active; 'inception' is nominal/conceptual.
It's used in both, but statistical analysis shows slightly higher frequency in British English, particularly in legal and administrative documents. The meaning and usage are identical across varieties.
The act of beginning or starting something.
Commencing is usually formal in register.
Commencing: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈmensɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmensɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “commencing with immediate effect”
- “commencing from scratch”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'COMMencING' as the formal cousin of 'beginning' - both start with 'com' like 'company' (official).
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING IS DEPARTURE ('commencing a journey'), BEGINNING IS OPENING ('commencing proceedings')
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'commencing' be MOST appropriate?