Definition of “Began”
“Began” is the past tense of the verb “begin,” which means to start or initiate something. It is used to describe actions that commenced at a specific time in the past.
Synonyms for “Began”
To enrich your vocabulary, here is a list of synonyms categorized by their strength of match.
Strongest Matches (Exact Synonyms)
- Started
- Commenced
- Initiated
- Embarked on
- Launched
Strong Matches (Close Synonyms)
- Entered upon
- Took off
- Instituted
- Opened
- Undertook
Weak Matches (Looser Synonyms)
- Kicked off
- Led off
- Broke into
- Broke ground
- Got underway
Example Sentences Using “Began”
- She began writing her novel last year.
- The meeting began promptly at 10 a.m.
- After months of training, he finally began his marathon.
- The rain began to fall just as we reached the car.
- The school began its new academic session with an orientation program.
Contextual Usage of “Began”
- Formal Usage: “The company began its operations in 1998.”
- Informal Usage: “I began thinking about my next vacation.”
- Literary Usage: “And so, the journey began, under the pale moonlight.”
- Historical Usage: “World War I began in 1914.”
Related Words and Forms
- Begin (present tense)
- Beginning (present participle)
- Begun (past participle)
- Rebegan (less common, but sometimes used to indicate resuming an action)
Additional Information
- “Began” is commonly confused with “begun.” The key difference is that “began” is used without an auxiliary verb (e.g., “He began his project”), whereas “begun” requires an auxiliary verb (e.g., “He has begun his project”).
- The word “begin” originates from the Old English “beginnan,” which means “to start.”
Disclaimer
This page is for informational and educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, language usage evolves over time. For precise grammatical guidance, consult a linguistics expert or an authoritative dictionary.
