Master confusing words with ease
Begin vs. Start
Begin
/bɪˈɡɪn/Examples:
When did you begin learning English?Edward accepted her invitation and he began to be more cheerful.Clyde was beginning to show a disposition to balk.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Start
/stɑːt/Examples:
Bernard started at these words.Marian, starting to reach into the waste-basket, refrained."I'm not blaming you," Olivia starts to protest.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Begin often signals the initiation of a process, akin to crossing a starting line.
- Start can imply an initial moment or act, like pressing a button to turn something on.
- Start is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, while begin often sounds more formal.
- Consider begin for more gradual processes, like a career or learning a language, whereas start is geared more towards sudden acts.
- You might begin a quest but start a car — a helpful way to remember the nuances.
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