Base
The film will begin at eight o'clock.
After will, use the base form begin.
Past Tense of Begin: Began and Begun
Begin is an irregular verb. Use began for a finished action in the past. Use begun after have or has, as in The lesson has begun.
Base
begin
Past
began
Past participle
begun
Third person: begins · -ing form: beginning
ABC: form patternExamples
Base
We begin class with a short game.
A regular habit in the present uses begin.
Past
The lesson began ten minutes ago.
Ago points to a finished past time, so use began.
Past
She began to cry when she heard the news.
Began can be followed by to and a verb.
Past participle
It has begun to rain.
After has, the participle is begun.
Past participle
The game has already begun.
Has begun means it started and is happening now.
Usage notes
Began or begun?
Began stands alone: The class began. Begun needs have, has or had: The class has begun. The vowels follow the same pattern as swim, swam, swum and drink, drank, drunk.
Begin or start?
Begin and start usually mean the same. Start is more common in everyday speech, and begin sounds a little more formal. Only start works for a car or a machine: start the car. British English uses the same forms.
Common mistakes
The class has began.
The class has begun.
After has, use the past participle begun, not the past form began.
The show beginned at six.
The show began at six.
Begin is irregular; its past form is began, never beginned.
Practise this verb
0/8
Choose the right form
Choose the form that completes each English sentence.
1.The meeting ___ at nine yesterday.
2.The rain has ___ again.
3.School ___ at eight every morning.
4.We ___ to learn English two years ago.
Write the missing form
Type the correct form of begin in each sentence.
Correct the mistake
Rewrite the English sentence with the correct verb form.
8.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
Answer key
1. The meeting ___ at nine yesterday.
Answer: began
Yesterday is a finished past time, so use began.
2. The rain has ___ again.
Answer: begun
Has takes the past participle begun.
3. School ___ at eight every morning.
Answer: begins
Every morning is a routine, and a singular subject like school takes begins.
4. We ___ to learn English two years ago.
Answer: began
Two years ago is finished, so use began; begun needs have or has.
5. The lesson has just ___.
Answer: begun
Has plus the past participle is has begun.
6. My brother ___ his new job last Monday.
Answer: began
Last Monday is finished, so use the past simple began.
7. We always ___ the lesson with a song.
Answer: begin
A regular habit with we uses the base form begin.
8. The film has began.
Answer: The film has begun.
After has, use begun, not began.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of begin?
The past tense of begin is began: The lesson began at ten.
What is the past participle of begin?
The past participle of begin is begun. Use it after have, has or had: The game has begun.
What is the difference between begin and start?
They usually mean the same. Start is more common when you speak, and begin is a little more formal. Use start for machines, as in start the car.