recommence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary
Quick answer
What does “recommence” mean?
To start again after a pause or interruption.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To start again after a pause or interruption.
To begin anew, often in a formal or deliberate manner, implying a fresh start or renewal rather than mere continuation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use it similarly, but American English may prefer 'resume' in everyday speech, while British English retains it more in formal writing.
Connotations
Neutral; no significant connotative differences between varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English in formal or legal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “recommence” in a Sentence
transitive: recommence somethingintransitive: recommence after somethingwith gerund: recommence doing somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “recommence” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The concert will recommence after the interval.
- He recommenced writing his novel after a long hiatus.
American English
- The game recommenced following the rain delay.
- She recommenced her job search after updating her resume.
adjective
British English
- The recommenced project showed significant progress.
- A recommencing event was scheduled for next month.
American English
- The recommencing operations were closely monitored.
- Recommenced talks led to a new agreement.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The board decided to recommence the merger discussions after the regulatory approval.
Academic
The research will recommence in the autumn semester once funding is secured.
Everyday
Let's recommence our hike after this quick snack.
Technical
The software will automatically recommence the download if the connection is lost.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “recommence”
- Using 'recommence' in overly informal situations where 'start again' is preferred.
- Misspelling as 're-commence' with a hyphen, which is non-standard.
- Confusing it with 'recommission' in technical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are similar, but 'recommence' often implies a more formal or deliberate restart, sometimes from the beginning, while 'resume' typically means continuing from where you left off.
Yes, but it is more common in formal or written English; in casual speech, 'start again' or 'resume' are often preferred.
It derives from the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' and the verb 'commence' from Old French 'comencer', meaning 'to begin'.
No, the spelling is consistent in both British and American English, though hyphenated forms like 're-commence' are non-standard.
To start again after a pause or interruption.
Recommence is usually formal, literary in register.
Recommence: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːkəˈmens/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːkəˈmɛns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “recommence fire”
- “recommence the clock”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Break it down: 're-' means again, and 'commence' means start, so recommence means to start again.
Conceptual Metaphor
Journey: recommencing is like resuming a journey after a pause, often with a sense of renewal.
Practice
Quiz
Which word is a closest synonym for 'recommence' in formal contexts?