French Phrase
Bien sûr, on commence.
Meaning
Literally 'Of course, we start,' this phrase is used to give a confident green‑light before beginning an activity, meeting, or lesson. It conveys both certainty and a friendly invitation to get going.
When to use
Use it at the start of a group activity, a classroom lesson, a business meeting, or any situation where you want to confirm that everyone is ready to begin.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Biensûr,oncommence.
Bien sûr
An adverbial phrase meaning 'of course' or 'certainly', used to express agreement or certainty.
on
The informal French pronoun that can mean 'we', 'one', or 'people' in spoken language.
commence
Present‑tense form of the verb *commencer* (to start) for the third‑person singular (il/elle/on).
Verb‑noun agreement
Even though *on* is singular, the verb stays in the singular form; do not add an *‑s*.
🗨In Conversation
Prêt à commencer la réunion ?
Ready to start the meeting?
Bien sûr, on commence.
Of course, let's begin.
✕Common Mistakes
Bien sûr, nous commençons.
While grammatically correct, *nous* sounds formal; most native speakers would use *on* in casual settings.
Bien sûre, on commence.
The adjective *sûr* stays masculine in the fixed expression *bien sûr*; do not add an *e*.
Bien sûr, on commence ?
Adding a question mark changes the meaning to a question; the phrase is a statement confirming readiness.
↔Alternatives
Bien entendu, on commence.
Certainly, we start.
Évidemment, on commence.
Obviously, we start.
D'accord, commençons.
Alright, let's start.
Cultural Tip
In French conversation, *on* is the go‑to pronoun for informal 'we' and sounds more natural than *nous* in most spoken contexts. When you say *Bien sûr, on commence*, you’re showing confidence while keeping the tone friendly and collaborative. In formal meetings, you might hear *Nous commençons* instead, but the informal version is perfect for classrooms, workshops, or casual team huddles.