What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ignite
Example
He used a match to ignite the candles on the birthday cake. [ignite: verb]
Example
The politician's speech ignited a fire in the hearts of his supporters. [ignited: past tense verb]
Example
The spark plug ignites the fuel in the engine to start the car. [ignites: present tense verb]
start
Example
Let's start the meeting with a quick introduction. [start: verb]
Example
She started running as soon as the race began. [started: past tense verb]
Example
We need to start packing for our vacation tomorrow. [start: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Start is a more commonly used word in everyday language than ignite. Start is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while ignite is more specific and may be less common in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ignite and start?
Start is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while ignite is more specific and may be associated with a more technical or scientific tone.
