commence

Everyday

(formal) To begin or start. tree →

In the lessons

A stiff official and exam word: "the exam will commence at nine". In maths problems: "the race commenced at 2:15" gives the start time. Phrases: commence work, commence the test.

Examples

• The exam will commence in five minutes. tree →
• Building work commenced on the new library. tree →
• Please commence writing now. tree →
• The concert commenced at 7 pm and ended at 9 pm. tree →
• The ceremony will commence with a song. tree →
• Lessons commence at 8:45 each morning. tree →
• "After that," continued the North Wind, "the hunting commenced. tree →

Note

Formal; in everyday talk say "begin" or "start". Noun: commencement (in the USA, a graduation ceremony). In time problems, the commence time is the start time: duration = end minus start.