verb

began

bih-GAN

Began (verb) means past tense of begin: started to happen, or started to do something. Example: “The rain began just as we left the house.”

verb

Past tense of begin: started to happen, or started to do something.

"The rain began just as we left the house."

"She began writing the book during lockdown."

Past tense of begin in the sense of coming into existence or having its origin.

"The company began as a market stall in Leeds."

How to Use Began

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe past form of begin.

When to use it

Neutral, and slightly more formal than started in most contexts.

Memory tip

Begin, began, begun. Use began on its own and begun only after have, has, had or a form of be.

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Easily confused with

begun → beginning → began with

Common pairings

began to realise it all began began life as began work on

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The rain _____ just as we left the house.

Etymology

Past tense of begin, from Old English beginnan 'to attempt, undertake'.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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started commenced set out embarked on originated started out

Antonyms

ended finished stopped

Related Words

over done leave gone spent passed finished ended

Rhymes for began

Egan vegan Megan Regan Tegan Keegan Deegan Creegan Finnegan

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between began and begun?

Began is the simple past and stands alone: 'The film began at eight.' Begun is the past participle and needs a helper verb: 'The film has begun.' If there is no have, has, had or was, you want began.

Is it 'had began' or 'had begun'?

Had begun. Any form of have takes the past participle, which is begun. 'Had began' is a common error but is never correct.

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