beg
[bˈɛɡ] /ˈbeg/ (ame, mw) · /beɡ/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɛɡ] /beɡ/ (ame, ipa)
beg — abbreviation
1. a short written form of the word 'beginning', used mainly in notes, schedules, o
a short written form of the word 'beginning', used mainly in notes, schedules, or informal messages to save space.
The course runs from beg. of March to end of June.
written abbreviation in schedules
Please read from the beg. of chapter 3 for homework.
Please arrive at beg. of the meeting with your notes prepared.
Write 'beg.' next to the date if you are unsure of the exact start day.
- end
opposite of beginning
用法筆記
Used only in writing, never in speech. The full word 'beginning' is preferred in formal contexts.
常見錯誤
beg — verb
- begpresent simple I / you / we / they
- begshe / she / it
- beggedpast simple
- begging-ing form
1. to make a desperate request to someone, asking them to give you something or all
to make a desperate request to someone, asking them to give you something or allow you to do something that you strongly need or want.
Sofia begged her parents to let her travel to Japan with the school group.
beg + [person] + to-infinitive
The trapped miners begged for water and medical supplies through a narrow pipe.
beg + for + [noun]
Benjamin got down on one knee and begged his girlfriend to marry him.
Vivek begged to be allowed to retake the exam after his family emergency.
- demand
to ask forcefully without politeness or desperation; expects compliance
文法句型
beg + to-infinitive
beg + [person] + to-infinitive
beg + for + [noun]
用法筆記
This sense is stronger than 'ask' — it suggests strong emotion, desperation, or a deep need. Often used with body language like kneeling or crying.
常見錯誤
2. to ask people you do not know for money, food, or other help, usually in public
to ask people you do not know for money, food, or other help, usually in public places, because you have very little or no income and cannot afford basic necessities.
After the factory closed, workers had to beg on the streets to feed their families.
beg on the streets
Noor sat outside the train station begging for spare change from early morning until dark.
beg for + money
A young woman stood by the market with a sign begging for medicine for her son.
Rachid saw an elderly man begging outside the supermarket every evening.
- panhandle
informal American English term for begging on the street
文法句型
beg + for + [money/food]
beg + on the streets
用法筆記
The word 'beggar' (noun) describes a person who begs in this sense. In many cities, begging is regulated or restricted by local laws.
常見錯誤
3. a trick in which a dog sits upright on its hind legs and holds its front paws up
a trick in which a dog sits upright on its hind legs and holds its front paws up, waiting for someone nearby to give it food or a treat.
Mayumi taught her dog to sit up and beg by holding a treat above his nose.
sit up and beg
The little dog begged whenever Quinn walked into the kitchen with food.
The puppy begged every time Joon unwrapped a piece of cheese.
Hana's dog refused to beg unless she first showed him the treat bag.
文法句型
sit up and beg
用法筆記
Only used for dogs. Do not use this sense for cats or other animals, though some pets may perform similar movements.
4. a polite fixed phrase used to apologise after a minor error or accident, or to r
a polite fixed phrase used to apologise after a minor error or accident, or to request that someone restate what they said because you failed to catch it.
I beg your pardon — I didn't realise this seat was taken.
I beg your pardon (apology)
I beg your pardon — could you repeat the name of the street you mentioned?
I beg your pardon (ask to repeat)
I beg your pardon for arriving late — the train was delayed by an hour.
I beg your pardon — I think I took your umbrella by mistake.
文法句型
I beg your pardon
用法筆記
This is a formal British English expression. In American English, 'Excuse me' or 'Pardon me' is more common for the same meanings. Americans use 'I beg your pardon' mainly to show offense (see sense 5).
常見錯誤
5. a fixed phrase spoken with a rising or angry intonation to convey shock, anger,
a fixed phrase spoken with a rising or angry intonation to convey shock, anger, or strong objection to a remark made by another person, implying the words were rude or unacceptable.
I beg your pardon — are you suggesting that I cheated on the test?
I beg your pardon (indignation)
When a customer insulted her accent, Roya said 'I beg your pardon!' and walked off.
I beg your pardon — I heard exactly what you said and it was completely out of line.
I beg your pardon — do you really think I would lie about something like that?
- excuse me
can express shock or offense in American English, but less formal
文法句型
I beg your pardon
用法筆記
The meaning depends entirely on tone of voice. A sharp rising tone on 'pardon' signals offense, while a softer falling tone signals apology (sense 4). In American English this phrase is rarely used for apologies but quite common for showing offense.
常見錯誤
❌ Using 'Excuse me' for offense can sound weak or sarcastic. 'I beg your pardon' is the standard polite-but-angry phrase.
6. to assume that something is true without proof, when the truth of that assumptio
to assume that something is true without proof, when the truth of that assumption is exactly what needs to be proved; or to avoid answering a difficult question by shifting the topic.
Claiming the book is true because the author says so begs the question of who decides its accuracy.
beg the question — circular logic
His argument begs the question by assuming that all politicians lie, which is what he must prove.
When a journalist asked about the missing funds, the spokesperson begged the question by praising general transparency efforts.
When pressed for evidence, the politician begged the question by repeating his original claim in different words.
文法句型
beg the question + of + [noun]
beg the question + whether/if
用法筆記
In formal logic, 'begs the question' describes circular reasoning (assuming what you are trying to prove). In everyday speech, many people use it to mean 'raises the question' (e.g. 'The storm begs the question: is climate change to blame?'). This everyday use is common but considered incorrect by style guides for academic writing.