Meaning & use
commencing
Last updated
“commencing” is a form of “commence”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
verbtransitive or intransitiveformal
Starting or beginning something, especially an official event, process, or period of time.
Grammar: Can take an object (commence the ceremony) or be used without one, often with 'at' or 'on' (commence at noon).
Patterns
- commence something
- commence at something
- commence on something
- commence with something
The graduation ceremony will commence at ten o'clock sharp.
Work on the new bridge is scheduled to commence next spring.
The meeting commenced with a brief introduction from the chair.
Word forms
| third person singular | commences |
|---|---|
| past tense | commenced |
| past participle | commenced |
| -ing form | commencing |
Common combinations
- commence operations
- The factory will commence operations in January.
- commence work
- They commenced work on the project immediately.
- commence proceedings
- The company decided to commence legal proceedings.
- commence at
- The performance commences at 7 p.m.
- commence with
- The program commenced with a welcome speech.
Synonyms and how they differ
- start
- More common and neutral; 'commence' is more formal and often used in official contexts.
- begin
- Similar in meaning but less formal; 'commence' is rare in everyday conversation.
- initiate
- Focuses on causing something to start, often a process; 'commence' simply means to start.
Opposites
Word family
- commencement noun
- The beginning of something; also a graduation ceremony.
- commencer noun
- One who commences; rare.
Commonly confused: commencing or commenting?
commencing vs commenting
Sounds similar but means making remarks; 'commencing' is about starting.
Practice
The ceremony will _____ at 3 p.m. sharp.
Choose one answer.
After 'will', the base form 'commence' is correct. 'Commences' is wrong because it is third-person singular present, 'commenced' is past, and 'commencing' would need a helping verb like 'is'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “commencing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.