begin
Translation
to begin, to start
Examples
The class will begin at nine.
The class will begin at nine.
Let's begin the meeting now.
Let's begin the meeting now.
She began to cry.
She began to cry.
He began working here last year.
He began working here last year.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to start; to happen The class will begin at nine.
((sth.)) to start doing (sth.) Let's begin the meeting now.
((to-inf)) to start doing (sth.) She began to cry.
((-ing)) to start doing (sth.) He began working here last year.
Similar Words
Synonyms: start, commence; Antonyms: end, finish, conclude
Etymology
From Old English 'beginnan', from the prefix 'be-' and 'ginnan' (to open, gape).
Memory Tips
Think of 'be-' as 'to be' and 'gin' as 'in' – to be in the start of something.