Word
commence
Phoneticscom·mence, stress on the second syllable
US/kəˈmɛns/
UK/kəmˈɛns/
Definitions
01to begin
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
v. to start something, especially a formal event or a process.
v. to begin or start an action, process, or event. Used both transitively and intransitively, this term is marked by a high level of formality.
Español:incoar
“The graduation ceremony will commence at ten o'clock sharp.”
“The legal proceedings are scheduled to commence once all parties have submitted their final evidence to the court.”
Usage
Can be used with a direct object or followed by a gerund (-ing form).
Pitfall
I will commence to read the book now.
I will commence reading the book now.
While 'start' and 'begin' often take an infinitive (to do), 'commence' is more naturally followed by a gerund (-ing) or a noun phrase.
Teaching tip
Advise students that 'commence' is much more formal than 'start'. It is best reserved for official announcements, academic writing, or legal documents.
02to graduate
C2 · Proficiency British English · Archaic
v. to receive a university degree.
v. to take a degree at a university, particularly in the context of a graduation ceremony.
“He commenced Master of Arts after three years of study.”
“In the traditional university records, it was noted that she commenced her doctorate during the spring term.”
Usage
Usually used intransitively in this specific academic sense.
Teaching tip
This sense is rare in modern English and mostly found in historical university documents; students should use 'graduate' instead.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “commence” in context.
Verb
01. commence construction
“Workmen are scheduled to commence construction on the new hospital wing early next month.”
verb + noun
02. commence legal proceedings
“The company decided to commence legal proceedings against their former partners for breach of contract.”
verb + adj + noun
03. commence with a speech
“The graduation ceremony will commence with a speech by the university chancellor.”
verb + prep + noun
Noun
04. duty to commence
“The board has a fiduciary duty to commence an investigation into the reported financial irregularities.”
noun + infinitive
Adverb
05. duly commence
“The hearing duly commenced at ten o'clock after the judge took his seat.”
adv + verb
06. formally commence
“The peace negotiations will formally commence once all delegates have arrived in the city.”
adv + verb
07. immediately commence
“Upon receiving the signal, the rescue team will immediately commence the search operation.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“King said six controllers were currently training, with another 15 expected to commence before the end of 2027.” “There is a clear risk that alternative supports will not be in place for participants who are exiting the scheme when these changes commence.” Etymology
From Middle English commencen, comencen (also as contracted comsen, cumsen), from Anglo-Norman comencer, from Vulgar Latin *cominitiāre, formed from Latin com- + initiō (whence English initiate).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/commence
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0