to begin
Mit einer Tätigkeit oder einem Ereignis den Anfang machen.
'To begin' signifies the starting point of any action, event, or process.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Means to start an action or event.
- Used for the first part of something.
- Very common in everyday English.
Summary
'To begin' signifies the starting point of any action, event, or process.
- Means to start an action or event.
- Used for the first part of something.
- Very common in everyday English.
Think of the first step
'To begin' is like taking the very first step. It's the moment something new happens or starts.
Don't confuse with 'end'
'Begin' is the opposite of 'end'. Make sure you understand which one to use based on whether something is starting or finishing.
New beginnings are important
Many cultures celebrate new beginnings, like New Year's Day or birthdays. These are times when people 'begin' a new year or a new age.
Beispiele
4 von 4Let's begin the meeting now.
The ceremony will begin shortly.
I need to begin my homework.
The research project will begin in the fall.
Wortfamilie
Merkhilfe
Think of 'begin' as the 'be-ginning' – the very first part. It's the opposite of the 'end'.
Overview
The word 'to begin' is a fundamental verb in English, indicating the start of an action, event, or process. It's one of the most basic verbs used in everyday communication, signifying the transition from a state of non-action to action. Its simplicity makes it accessible to learners at the A1 level, allowing them to express the initiation of activities.
'To begin' is often followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing) or an infinitive (to + verb). It can also be used intransitively, meaning it doesn't require a direct object. For example, 'Let's begin the meeting' (transitive with object) or 'The show will begin soon' (intransitive).
This verb is used in a wide variety of everyday situations. You might hear it when talking about starting a task ('I need to begin my homework'), a journey ('We begin our trip tomorrow'), a meal ('Let's begin eating'), or an event ('The concert begins at 8 PM'). It's also common in instructions or announcements.
While 'to start' is a very close synonym and often interchangeable with 'to begin', 'to commence' is a more formal alternative, typically used in official or ceremonial contexts. 'To initiate' suggests a more deliberate or formal beginning, often involving planning or setting something in motion. For basic communication, 'to begin' and 'to start' are the most common and suitable choices.
Nutzungshinweise
'Begin' is a versatile verb suitable for most situations. Its past tense is 'began' and the past participle is 'begun'. Remember to use the correct form depending on the tense you need.
Häufige Fehler
Learners sometimes confuse the past tense 'began' with the past participle 'begun'. For example, they might incorrectly say 'I began the work yesterday' (correct) but 'I have began the work' (incorrect, should be 'I have begun').
Merkhilfe
Think of 'begin' as the 'be-ginning' – the very first part. It's the opposite of the 'end'.
Wortherkunft
The word 'begin' comes from Old English 'beginnan', likely related to 'gin', meaning 'to open' or 'to yawn'. It signifies the act of opening up a new activity.
Kultureller Kontext
The concept of 'beginning' is central to many cultural narratives, from creation myths to personal goals. Announcing the 'beginning' of an event often marks a formal transition into a shared experience.
Beispiele
Let's begin the meeting now.
everydayThe ceremony will begin shortly.
formalI need to begin my homework.
informalThe research project will begin in the fall.
academicWortfamilie
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
to begin with
begin again
begin to understand
Wird oft verwechselt mit
'Start' and 'begin' are largely interchangeable in everyday English. 'Begin' can sometimes sound slightly more formal than 'start', but this difference is subtle.
'Commence' is a more formal verb used primarily in official, legal, or ceremonial contexts. It is not typically used in casual conversation.
Grammatikmuster
Think of the first step
'To begin' is like taking the very first step. It's the moment something new happens or starts.
Don't confuse with 'end'
'Begin' is the opposite of 'end'. Make sure you understand which one to use based on whether something is starting or finishing.
New beginnings are important
Many cultures celebrate new beginnings, like New Year's Day or birthdays. These are times when people 'begin' a new year or a new age.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
The movie will ___ at 7 PM.
'Begin' fits the context of starting an event at a specific time.
Select the sentence that correctly uses the word 'begin'.
Which sentence is correct?
The other options have incorrect verb conjugations or structure.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence.
Arrange: class / begins / The / tomorrow.
This is the standard sentence structure with the subject, verb, and time adverbial.
Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenYes, in most everyday situations, 'begin' and 'start' can be used interchangeably. They both mean to commence something.
'Begin' can be followed by a noun, a gerund (verb + -ing), or an infinitive (to + verb). For example, 'begin the race', 'begin running', or 'begin to run'.
'Begin' is generally neutral, suitable for both informal and most formal contexts. 'Commence' is more formal.
The past tense is 'began'. You use it when talking about something that started in the past, like 'The meeting began at 10 AM'.
Im Kontext lernen
Ähnliche Regeln
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Verwandtes Vokabular
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