What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
begot
Example
He begot three children with his wife. [begot: past tense verb]
Example
The king begot a son who would inherit the throne. [begot: past tense verb]
fathered
Example
He fathered a child out of wedlock. [fathered: past tense verb]
Example
The man proudly fathered three children and raised them with love. [fathered: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fathered is more commonly used than begot in everyday language. Fathered is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while begot is less common and may sound outdated in modern English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between begot and fathered?
While begot is associated with a more formal and archaic tone, fathered is more commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
