Begun
Begun (verb) means the past participle of "begin," used with "have" or "be" to describe something that has started. Example: “The renovations have already begun.”
How to use Begun
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe form of "begin" you use after "have," "has," or "had."
Don't use "begun" without a helping verb — say "it began," not "it begun," in standard English.
Word forms
Beguns plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The renovations have already _____.
Etymology
Two possible origins: * Borrowed from Russian бегу́н (begún, “runner”), a nickname used in the local Jewish community. Doublet of Biegun and Bihun, from Polish and Ukrainian respectively. * A variant of Begum, an Indian surname found in the Muslim community.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Begun” mean?
The word “Begun” means the past participle of "begin," used with "have" or "be" to describe something that has started. In plain terms, the form of "begin" you use after "have," "has," or "had.".
How do you use “Begun” in a sentence?
Here is “Begun” used in a sentence: “The renovations have already begun.”
What part of speech is “Begun”?
“Begun” is a verb.
Is “Begun” a common word?
“Begun” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between began and begun?
"Began" is the simple past tense of "begin" and stands alone, as in "The meeting began at noon." "Begun" is the past participle and must follow a helping verb such as "has," "have," or "had," as in "The meeting has begun."
Is it "has began" or "has begun"?
"Has begun" is correct. "Begun" is the past participle of "begin," so it is the form used after "has," "have," or "had." "Began" is never used after a helping verb.
Can you use begun without have or had?
No. "Begun" cannot stand alone as a main verb; it always needs an auxiliary such as "have," "has," or "had," or a form of "be." If there is no helping verb, the correct past form is "began."
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