begin
/bɪˈgɪn/
Reviewed on
Type
Verb
Meaning
To start doing something.
We began cleaning the house early in the morning.
To start to happen or exist.
The movie begins at eight o'clock.
To have something as the first part or first step (used with 'with' or 'by').
The class always begins with a short quiz.
How it's used
When this means “both forms are common with almost the same meaning”
- begin + to + verb / begin + -ing
It began to rain. / It began raining.
When this means “says what the first part or step is”
- begin with + noun / begin by + -ing
Let's begin by reading the first page.
When this means “used to give the first reason or point”
- to begin with
To begin with, the hotel was too far from the beach.
Collocations
- begin again
- begin work
- begin to cry
- begin at
- school begins
- begin with