begin
/bɪˈɡɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [bɪɡˈɪn] /bɪˈɡɪn/ (ame, ipa) · [bɪɡˈɪn] /bi-ˈgin bē-/ (ame, mw)
begin — verb
- beginpresent simple I / you / we / they
- beginshe / she / it
- beganpast simple
- begunpast participle
- beginning-ing form
1. used when an event, a season, or a situation starts to occur or appears for the
used when an event, a season, or a situation starts to occur or appears for the first time.
The opening ceremony of the games will begin at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
begin + adverb of time for event start
Snow began to fall heavily after midnight, covering the roads in white.
Construction on the new hospital wing began in early March last year.
The movie had already begun by the time Beatrix found her seat.
When does the next performance begin, I asked the ticket seller.
- start
more common in everyday conversation; almost interchangeable
- commence
much more formal, usually in official or ceremonial contexts
- get underway
informal phrasal expression, often for events or projects
文法句型
begin + (no object)
begin + to-infinitive (of events)
用法筆記
The subject is typically an event noun (meeting, show, construction) or a natural phenomenon (rain, snow). Passive voice is uncommon for this sense.
常見錯誤
2. used when a person begins performing an action or starts working on a task.
used when a person begins performing an action or starts working on a task.
Mia began learning Japanese when she was eight years old.
begin + -ing form for starting an activity
The team began to build the wooden shelves shortly after lunch.
begin + to-infinitive for the first step of a task
Elena began writing her first novel during the summer vacation.
The children began painting pictures as soon as the teacher arrived.
- start
almost always interchangeable with begin for actions
- get started on
more informal, common in spoken English
- set about
slightly more formal, implies determination
文法句型
begin + to-infinitive
begin + -ing form
常見錯誤
3. when someone starts to speak, especially after a pause or at the start of a conv
when someone starts to speak, especially after a pause or at the start of a conversation or presentation.
Liang began his speech by thanking everyone who had helped him.
begin + possessive + speech noun for starting to speak
The old man cleared his throat and began to tell his life story.
Sivan began by saying, "I think I have made a terrible mistake."
Shirin began the interview by asking about the candidate's experience.
- start speaking
more direct, less literary
- open
used for formal talks or presentations ('She opened with a joke')
- stop speaking
to cease talking
- fall silent
to become quiet
文法句型
begin + speech noun
begin + by + -ing form
begin + quote
用法筆記
Often used with a quote or an explanation of what was said. The object can be a noun like 'speech', 'talk', or 'story'.
常見錯誤
4. used when a particular element, person, or thing comes first in a sequence, list
used when a particular element, person, or thing comes first in a sequence, list, or process.
The German word for "hello" begins with the letter G.
begin with + letter/number for first element
The festival began with a colorful parade through the main street.
Adaeze's day at work begins with a short team meeting every morning.
Every good story begins with an interesting hook that draws readers in.
- start with
the most common alternative; fully interchangeable
- open with
common for events, performances, or documents
- end with
to have something as the final element
- conclude with
to have something as the closing element
文法句型
begin with + noun / noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'with' or 'as'. 'Begin with' introduces the first element; 'begin as' introduces an initial role or state ('He began as a junior clerk').
常見錯誤
5. to bring something into existence by creating, founding, or establishing it as a
to bring something into existence by creating, founding, or establishing it as a new entity.
My great-grandfather began the family bakery in a small mountain village.
begin + noun (business) for founding something
The students began a recycling program at their high school last year.
Nadia and her colleagues began a charity that helps homeless families.
A group of local musicians began the festival tradition back in 1985.
- close down
to stop operating a business or organization
- disband
to break up a group or organization
文法句型
begin + noun (company, tradition, practice)
用法筆記
Common objects are 'business', 'company', 'tradition', 'practice', 'movement', or 'program' — nouns that describe something lasting, not a one-time action.
常見錯誤
6. appears only with a negative word (such as can't or doesn't) to emphasize that s
appears only with a negative word (such as can't or doesn't) to emphasize that something does not happen at all, or that no serious attempt is made.
I cannot even begin to tell you how grateful we are for your kindness.
negative: can't even begin + to-infinitive for emphasis
The asking price of this apartment does not begin to reflect its true value.
does not begin + to-infinitive for 'not even close'
Meera could not even begin to understand the complicated legal document.
Their small donation does not begin to cover the cost of the medical treatment.
- not even start
less idiomatic but conveys the same emphatic negation
文法句型
can't even begin + to-infinitive
doesn't begin + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Only appears in negative constructions, most often 'cannot even begin + to-infinitive' or 'does not begin + to-infinitive'. Affirmative uses cannot express this meaning. The 'even' adds emphasis but is optional.