Commencement

[Stevenloan]

"Bradley Cooper had to miss his graduation commencement to film "Wet Hot American Summer" (2001).

Hi everyone! Between "graduation commencement" and "graduation ceremony", which one is more commonly used?

Thanks a lot!

StevenLoan

[Ken Greenwald]

Steven,

A Google search produced the following number of hits:

1) graduation commencement – 174,000

2) graduation ceremony – 10,100,000

3) graduation commencement ceremony – 26,700 (Note that 3 is contained in 1)

So “graduation ceremony” is the winner by a wide margin!
_______________________________

Ken Greenwald – December 22, 2018

[trolley]

I’ve heard “graduation ceremony” and “commencement ceremony” but I don’t think I’ve ever heard “graduation commencement”

[BonnieL]

I’ve heard “graduation ceremony” and “commencement ceremony” but I don’t think I’ve ever heard “graduation commencement”

Me neither. Aren't they the same thing?

[trolley]

I always used them as the same thing. Commencement and graduation are different names for the same event...maybe from the idea of moving forward...of beginning.

[Rufus Miles]

in any case "commencement" is a pompous word, to be avoided if possible

[Stevenloan]

Ken Greenwald, trolley, BonnieL and Rufus Miles : Thank you all so so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

StevenLoan

[Bobinwales]

I have never heard of a "commencement". Is this something that only happens in the USA?

[Erik_Kowal]

I have never heard of a "commencement". Is this something that only happens in the USA?

As far as I know, this term is used chiefly in North America (i.e. also including Canada). The allusion is to the beginning of the new graduate's life as a full adult.

[trolley]

...and that surprises me because I'd always just assumed that "commencement" was a British usage.It sounds a little more proper...or pompous, depending on your point of view.