What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
began
Example
She began her presentation with an interesting anecdote. [began: past tense]
Example
I began studying for the exam last night. [began: verb]
started
Example
He started his new job last week. [started: past tense]
Example
Let's start the meeting with a brief introduction. [start: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Started is more commonly used than began in everyday spoken language. It is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, making it a more common choice for expressing the beginning of an action, event, or process.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between began and started?
While began is considered slightly more formal, started is more commonly used in informal or casual situations. Both words can be used in different levels of formality depending on the context.
