Saturday, 8 May 2010

begin - start

1. There is not usually any difference between begin and start

  • I started/began teaching when I was twenty- two

  • If John doesn't come soon,, let's start/began without him


We prefer start when we talk about an activity that happens regularly, with "stops and starts"




  • It's starting to rain.

  • What time do you start teaching tomorrow morning.


We prefer begin when we talk about long, slow activities, and when we are using a more formal styles

  • Very slowly, I began to realize that there was something wrong

  • We will begin the meeting with a message from the President


2. Start (not begin) is used to mean:

a. Start a jorney




  • I think we ought to start at six, while the roads are empty


b. start working (for machines)




  • The car won't start


c. make (machines) start




  • How do you start the washing machine?

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