to start
Commencer quelque chose ou le mettre en mouvement.
To start means to begin doing something or for something to begin.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Begin an action or process.
- Used for events, activities, and states.
- Very common in daily conversation.
Summary
To start means to begin doing something or for something to begin.
- Begin an action or process.
- Used for events, activities, and states.
- Very common in daily conversation.
Use 'start' for beginnings.
Remember 'start' is about initiating action or a process. Think of starting a car or starting a conversation.
Avoid 'start' in very formal settings.
While common, 'start' can sound too casual in highly formal contexts like official ceremonies or legal documents, where 'commence' is better.
Starting new things is positive.
In many cultures, starting something new, like a project or a new year, is seen as an opportunity for growth and positive change.
Exemples
4 sur 4Let's start the game!
The ceremony will commence at noon.
He started learning guitar last year.
The experiment requires us to start with a control group.
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Imagine yourself 'starting' a race. You're at the line, ready to go! The word 'start' is your signal to begin.
**Overview**
The word 'to start' is a fundamental verb in English, essential for everyday communication. It signifies the beginning of an action, event, or state. It's one of the first verbs learners encounter because it's used so frequently in simple, direct sentences.
**Usage Patterns**
'To start' is used in a wide variety of contexts. It can be used intransitively (something starts on its own) or transitively (someone or something starts something else). It can also be followed by a noun, a gerund (-ing form of a verb), or an infinitive (to + verb).
**Common Contexts**
You'll hear 'to start' used when talking about daily routines (e.g., 'I start work at 9 AM'), initiating projects ('Let's start the meeting'), beginning journeys ('We start our trip tomorrow'), or when something begins naturally ('The rain started'). It's also used to describe the beginning of a new phase or period ('The new year starts next week').
**Similar Words Comparison**
While 'to begin' is a very close synonym, 'to start' is often considered slightly more common in everyday, informal speech. 'To commence' is a more formal synonym, typically used in official or ceremonial contexts. 'To initiate' implies a more deliberate and planned beginning, often for a process or project.
Notes d'usage
As a very common verb, 'start' is used in a wide range of situations. It's generally neutral in formality but is prevalent in informal and everyday speech. When followed by another verb, use the gerund (-ing form) or the infinitive (to + verb).
Erreurs courantes
Learners sometimes incorrectly use 'start' with a past participle after 'will' (e.g., 'will started'). Remember to use the base form 'start' after modal verbs like 'will'. Also, ensure correct usage with gerunds vs. infinitives when appropriate.
Astuce mémo
Imagine yourself 'starting' a race. You're at the line, ready to go! The word 'start' is your signal to begin.
Origine du mot
The word 'start' has Old English origins, related to the word 'stertan', meaning 'to leap up' or 'to move suddenly'. This gives a sense of energetic beginning.
Contexte culturel
The act of 'starting' something new is often celebrated in many cultures, symbolizing hope, opportunity, and progress. New Year's Day, for instance, is a universal 'start' for many.
Exemples
Let's start the game!
everydayThe ceremony will commence at noon.
formalHe started learning guitar last year.
informalThe experiment requires us to start with a control group.
academicFamille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
start up
get started
start from scratch
Souvent confondu avec
'Begin' is a very close synonym and often interchangeable with 'start'. However, 'begin' can sometimes sound more formal or literary. For example, you might 'begin a novel' but 'start a car'.
'Commence' is a more formal synonym for 'start' or 'begin'. It is typically used in official settings, ceremonies, or legal contexts, rather than in casual conversation.
'Initiate' means to begin something, especially a process or formal action, often implying a planned or deliberate first step. It's more formal than 'start' and suggests a structured beginning.
Modèles grammaticaux
Use 'start' for beginnings.
Remember 'start' is about initiating action or a process. Think of starting a car or starting a conversation.
Avoid 'start' in very formal settings.
While common, 'start' can sound too casual in highly formal contexts like official ceremonies or legal documents, where 'commence' is better.
Starting new things is positive.
In many cultures, starting something new, like a project or a new year, is seen as an opportunity for growth and positive change.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
Let's ___ the meeting now.
'Start' is the most common and natural choice for initiating a meeting in everyday conversation.
Which sentence correctly uses 'start'?
Which sentence is correct?
After 'will', we use the base form of the verb, which is 'start'.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence.
Arrange: work / I / start / 9 / at / AM
This is the standard subject-verb-object structure for stating a daily routine.
Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questions'Start' and 'begin' are very similar and often interchangeable. 'Start' is generally more common in everyday spoken English, while 'begin' can sometimes sound slightly more formal.
Yes, you can start doing something. For example, 'I started learning English last year' is correct.
You can use 'start' without an object. For example, 'The movie will start soon' or 'It started to rain'.
'Start' is generally neutral but leans towards informal in many common uses. For very formal situations, 'commence' might be preferred.
Grammaire lie
Expressions liées
Vocabulaire associé
Plus de mots sur general
about
A1'About' signifie 'à propos de' quand on parle d'un sujet, ou 'environ' pour une quantité.
above
A2Indique une position plus haute que quelque chose d'autre, juste au-dessus.
accident
A2Un événement imprévu qui cause du tort ou des blessures.
action
A2C'est le fait de faire quelque chose pour atteindre un but.
after
A2'After' veut dire 'après', quelque chose qui arrive plus tard dans le temps ou dans l'espace.
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2'Again' veut dire 'encore', que quelque chose se produit une deuxième fois ou plus.
aged
B1Cela précise l'âge d'une personne ou d'un objet.
alive
A2Quelque chose qui est en vie, qui n'est pas mort.
all
A2'All' désigne la totalité de quelque chose, chaque élément sans exception.
