What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
commencement
Example
The commencement of the concert will be at 7 pm sharp. [commencement: noun]
Example
They will commence the construction work next week. [commence: verb]
onset
Example
The onset of winter brings cold temperatures and snow. [onset: noun]
Example
She felt the onset of a headache after a long day at work. [onset: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Commencement is more commonly used than onset in everyday language, especially in formal contexts. Onset is more specific and tends to be used in certain contexts, such as describing the start of seasons or the appearance of symptoms.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between commencement and onset?
While commencement is typically associated with formal language and is commonly used in formal settings, onset can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
