Verb Overview
The verb begin is an irregular verb commonly used to indicate the start of an action or event. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts to express the initiation of something. The principal parts of the verb are begin (base form), began (simple past), and begun (past participle).
Present Tense Usage
In present tense, begin is used with different subjects typically without change except for the third person singular, which adds an -s. It conveys actions currently starting or habitual beginnings.
Simple Past Usage
The simple past form began is used to describe an action that started at a definite time in the past. It does not require auxiliary verbs and is used in affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences.
Past Participle Usage
The past participle begun is used with auxiliary verbs such as have, has, and had to form perfect tenses. It indicates an action that started before a certain time or is relevant to the present or past perfect context.
English and Spanish Conjugation Table
| English Pronoun | English Conjugation | Spanish Conjugation | English Example | Spanish Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | begin | comienzo | I begin my homework now. | Yo comienzo mi tarea ahora. |
| You | begin | comienzas | You begin work early today. | Tú comienzas el trabajo temprano. |
| He/She/It | begins | comienza | She begins to study at 8 am. | Ella comienza a estudiar a las 8. |
| We | begin | comenzamos | We begin our trip next week. | Nosotros comenzamos nuestro viaje. |
| You (plural) | begin | comienzan | You begin the game on Monday. | Ustedes comienzan el juego el lunes. |
| They | begin | comienzan | They begin classes today. | Ellos comienzan las clases hoy. |
| I | began | comencé | I began learning Spanish. | Yo comencé a aprender español. |
| You | began | comenzaste | You began the project early. | Tú comenzaste el proyecto temprano. |
| He/She/It | began | comenzó | He began reading the book. | Él comenzó a leer el libro. |
| We | began | comenzamos | We began working late. | Nosotros comenzamos a trabajar tarde. |
| You (plural) | began | comenzaron | You began last week. | Ustedes comenzaron la semana pasada. |
| They | began | comenzaron | They began the meeting. | Ellos comenzaron la reunión. |
| I | have begun | he comenzado | I have begun a new course. | Yo he comenzado un curso nuevo. |
| You | have begun | has comenzado | You have begun the assignment. | Tú has comenzado la tarea. |
| He/She/It | has begun | ha comenzado | She has begun the project. | Ella ha comenzado el proyecto. |
| We | have begun | hemos comenzado | We have begun preparations. | Nosotros hemos comenzado preparativos. |
| You (plural) | have begun | han comenzado | You have begun the event. | Ustedes han comenzado el evento. |
| They | have begun | han comenzado | They have begun the festival. | Ellos han comenzado el festival. |
Common Uses and Examples
Begin can be followed by nouns or infinitive verbs with "to" to describe the object or action starting. For example, "begin a task," or "begin to understand." It is frequently used in narratives, instructions, and descriptions to indicate starting points.
Tips for Spanish Speakers
In Spanish, the verb comenzar is the closest equivalent to begin. Both verbs are irregular in their conjugations and often interchangeable with empezar. Remember that the past participle of begin, begun, requires auxiliary verbs in English, similar to how comenzado is used with haber in Spanish perfect tenses.
