Cool MateCommence vs Start
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Commence
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
Start
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most formal: CommenceMost common: Start
| Commence | Start | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kəˈmɛns//🇺🇸 //kəˈmɛns// | 🇬🇧 /["/stɑːt/","/stɑːts/","/ˈstɑːtɪd/","/ˈstɑːtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/stɑːrt/","/stɑːrts/","/ˈstɑːrtɪd/","/ˈstɑːrtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To start or begin something. | To begin something |
| Example | The ceremony will commence at noon. | Please start the engine before we leave. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | commence operations, commence proceedings, commence studies | suddenly, immediately, just, decide to, expect to, hope to, as, by, from, get (somebody/something) started, a good, great, etc. place to start, let’s start, suddenly, immediately, just, decide to, expect to, hope to, as, by, from, get (somebody/something) started, a good, great, etc. place to start, let’s start |
| Antonyms | cease, stop, end | stop, finish, end |
| Common mistakes | Used incorrectly in informal contexts where simpler 'start' would be better., Confused with 'committed' due to similar sounds., Often misspelled as 'comence'. | Confused with 'begin' — both mean similar things but are used in slightly different contexts., Used as a noun incorrectly — 'start' is mainly a verb., Misplaced in phrasal verbs — it should not be confused with 'start up' in business contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used in formal writing and speeches. It's less common in everyday conversation. Often used in legal and professional contexts. | Use 'start' for beginning actions or events. It's appropriate in both speaking and writing, but in formal contexts, you might use 'initiate' instead. |
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Frequently asked questions: Commence vs Start
What's the difference between Commence and Start?
Commence: To start or begin something. Start: To begin something
Which is more formal: Commence and Start?
Commence is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Commence and Start?
Start is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Commence and Start?
Commence is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Commence and Start the same CEFR level?
Commence: C1, Start: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Commence and Start?
Commence: verb, Start: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Commence: The ceremony will commence at noon. Start: Please start the engine before we leave.
Can I use Commence and Start interchangeably?
Not always. Commence and Start are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.