to commence = is to be commence = will commence

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether the following sentence is written in comformity with the rules of the contemporary English grammar?

Delivery to commence in six to eight months and to be completed in twelve to sixteen months.

to commence = is to be commence = will commence
to be completed = is to be completed = will be completed

Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Regards.

V.

[Neillythere]

Hi Vil.

As a Brit, Procurement Advisor and mentor, but not a teacher, I would read your text as meaning:

Delivery shall (i.e. must) commence in six to eight months and shall (i.e. must) be completed within twelve to sixteen months.

If not, I would regard them as being in breach of the Agreement and liable to appropriate Contract remedies.

I would regard your sentence as being written in "technical" English (a sort of "shorthand" English, where words not vital to the understanding of the text are ommitted) rather than strict grammatical English.

Otherwise:
[The] Delivery [of the Goods is] to commence in six to eight months and [is]to be completed in twelve to sixteen months.

Hope this helps

Best Regards

NT

[vil]

Hi Neillythere,

Thank you for your prompt reply. I can honestly say that I am content with myself as a result of your favorable attitude towards my successful attempt to slide over the strict grammatical rules.

Thank you for your understanding.

Regards.

V.