begin
begin — verb
1. to first appear or start taking place
to first appear or start taking place
The concert began at seven after the crowd filled the hall.
something begins at [time]
A small fire began in the kitchen while Mira washed dishes.
Winter began early in the mountain village that year.
The trouble began when two boys kicked a ball indoors.
A new friendship began during the school trip to Tainan.
文法句型
something begins
something begins at [time]
something begins when ...
用法筆記
Used for events, periods, feelings, relationships, and other things that come into being. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about something starting to exist or happen, not about a person starting an action.
常見錯誤
2. to start an action, task, or project
to start an action, task, or project
Noah began to read the letter on the bus home.
begin to + verb
After lunch, the team began building the stage for the play.
begin + -ing form
I began my homework while my sister set the table.
The nurse began checking patients before the doctor arrived.
Leo saved money and began a repair business in his garage.
文法句型
begin to do something
begin doing something
begin something
用法筆記
Common with both to + verb and the -ing form, especially in speech and writing. It can also take a direct object when you mean starting a task, project, business, or other planned activity.
常見錯誤
3. to say your first words after being silent
to say your first words after being silent
After the bell rang, Ms. Wu began, 'Please open your books.'
begin + direct speech
After a long pause, Daniel began, 'I need to tell the truth.'
begin in a ... voice
The child began to answer, then stopped when the phone rang.
At last, Nora began her story about the lost dog.
When the camera turned on, the mayor began with a joke.
- stop
describes ending the speech or remarks
- fall silent
describes becoming quiet instead of starting to speak
文法句型
someone begins, '...'
begin in a ... voice
用法筆記
Often used when introducing direct speech, a speech, a story, or first remarks. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 is about starting any activity, while this sense focuses on opening your speech or speaking turn.
常見錯誤
4. to have a particular thing as the opening part
to have a particular thing as the opening part
The lesson begins with a song about animals.
begin with + first part
Her email began with an apology to the whole team.
The movie begins with children running across a windy beach.
This list begins with your passport and train ticket.
The book begins with a photo of the old shop.
- start with
the everyday equivalent
- open with
common for books, films, speeches, or performances
- lead with
often suggests choosing something as the opening move
- end with
describes the final part instead of the first part
文法句型
something begins with something
用法筆記
Usually followed by with and names the first scene, sentence, item, or activity inside something. Distinguish from sense 5, which gives the point, place, time, or number where something starts.
常見錯誤
5. to start from a particular place, time, number, or level
to start from a particular place, time, number, or level
The road begins at the bridge near the post office.
begin at + place
Summer vacation begins in July at this school.
begin in + month
Ticket prices begin at three hundred dollars for children.
The walking tour begins at the market square each morning.
Page numbers begin at one after the photo section.
- start at
the most direct everyday pattern for a point or level
- start from
common when the starting point is a place or lower limit
- run from
used for ranges, especially times, pages, or numbers
文法句型
something begins at [point]
something begins in [time]
something begins from [place]
用法筆記
Often followed by at, in, or from with places, times, prices, and numbers. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense tells you where or when the starting point is, not what comes first.