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Commonly Confused Words
Begin/Start
Master confusing words with ease
In fact/Infact
From/Since
Pass time/Past time pastime
Reward/Award
Begin vs. Start
Begin
/bɪˈɡɪn/
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To start or commence something
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:
start
commence
initiate
Antonyms:
end
finish
conclude
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
Start
/stɑːt/
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
To begin to do something or the point at which something begins
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:
begin
commence
initiate
launch
inaugurate
Antonyms:
finish
conclude
end
complete
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
Ways to tell them apart:
Remember that
begin
sounds more formal than
start
.
You often
start
a car but
begin
a journey.
Think of
start
as kicking off an action and
begin
as more about initiation.
When to use begin:
When to use start:
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