The verb begin means to start something. It is an irregular verb with two key past forms:
- began (simple past)
- begun (past participle)
Here’s the full conjugation:
| Form | English Example | English Example (Irregular) |
|---|---|---|
| Base | begin | begin |
| Simple Past | began | began |
| Past Participle | begun | begun |
Using began
Began is used for completed actions in the past. It does not need an auxiliary verb (like have or had).
Example sentences
| English Example | English Example (Irregular) |
|---|---|
| I began my homework at 6 pm. | She began singing beautifully. |
| They began the meeting without us. | We began our journey early. |
Using begun
Begun is the past participle and is used with have, has, or had (perfect tenses) or in the passive voice. Do not use begun without these helping verbs.
Example sentences
| English Example | English Example (Irregular) |
|---|---|
| I have begun reading the book. | She has begun working here. |
| By noon, they had begun eating. | We have begun planning the event. |
Common Mistakes
- Using “begun” without have/has/had
- Incorrect: She begun her project.
- Correct: She has begun her project.
- Using “began” in perfect tenses
- Incorrect: I have began the task.
- Correct: I have begun the task.
Advanced Usage
Begin + to-infinitive vs. Begin + -ing
- Both forms are correct and have the same meaning.
| English Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| She began to speak. | Using “to speak” |
| She began speaking. | Using “speaking” |
Formality
- “Begin” is more formal than “start.” In casual speech, people often say start instead of begin.
| English Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The show begins at 8 pm. | Formal/literal |
| The show starts at 8 pm. | More casual |
Summary
- Began = simple past. Use for completed past actions without auxiliaries.
- Begun = past participle. Use with have/has/had in perfect tenses.
- Do not use begun by itself.
- You can use begin + to-infinitive or begin + -ing interchangeably.
Which verb is generally more formal?
Begin is more formal than start.
'Begin' is more formal and is often used in writing and formal speech, while 'start' is more common in everyday conversation.
Can you use 'begin' with either a to-infinitive or an -ing form?
Yes, both are correct and have the same meaning.
Both 'begin to do something' and 'begin doing something' are grammatically correct and interchangeable.
Flashcards (1 of 11)
- Form: Base
- English Example: begin
- English Example (Irregular): begin
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
