Begun vs. Began: A Guide to Correct Grammar • 7ESL

This reference tackles the common confusion between “begun” and “began.” Both words are forms of the irregular verb “to begin,” which means to start or proceed with something. By learning the correct usage of each, you can improve the accuracy and clarity of your writing.

Contents

The Difference Between Begun and Began

Quick Tips:

Use “began” as the simple past tense form when no auxiliary verb is needed.
Use “begun” as the past participle form with auxiliary verbs (like “have,” “has,” “had”) to form perfect tenses.

Begun vs. Began: Definition

Begun and began are two different forms of the verb “begin.” Understanding their differences depends on their tense and how they are used in sentences.

What Does Begun Mean?

Begun is the past participle form of the verb “to begin.” You use it with auxiliary verbs like “has,” “have,” or “had” to create perfect tenses. It represents an action that started in the past and either continues to the present or affects the present in some way.

For examples

They have begun their journey to complete the project.
You had begun to think about changing careers before the pandemic.

What Does Began Mean?

Began is the simple past tense form of the verb “to begin.” You use it to describe an action that started and ended entirely in the past.

For examples

The concert began at 7 PM yesterday.
She began painting three hours ago.

Tips to Remember the Differences

Begun is a past participle and requires an auxiliary verb (has, have, or had).
Began is the simple past tense and does not require an auxiliary verb.
Pay attention to the sentence structure to determine which one to use.

Common Mistakes with “Begun” and “Began”

Using “begun” without an auxiliary verb:

Incorrect: “She begun the assignment last night.”
Correct: “She began the assignment last night.”
Explanation: “Began” is the simple past form and should be used without an auxiliary verb.

Using “began” instead of “begun” in perfect tenses:

Incorrect: “They have began the meeting already.”
Correct: “They have begun the meeting already.”
Explanation: “Begun” is the past participle form and should be used with an auxiliary verb like “have.”

Confusing their uses in sentences with auxiliary verbs:

Incorrect: “He had began to realize his mistake.”
Correct: “He had begun to realize his mistake.”
Explanation: “Begun” is the correct form when used with the auxiliary verb “had” in the past perfect tense.

Begun vs. Began: Examples

Example Sentences Using Begun

Begun is the past participle of begin, and it is used with a helping verb such as “have,” “has” or “had”. It often refers to actions that started in the past and continue to have an impact on the present. Here are some examples:

The project has begun to show promising results.
They had already begun cooking when we arrived.
The team has begun implementing the new software system.
The students have begun their final exams.
He has begun to realize the importance of time management.
The company had begun the process of expansion before the economic downturn.
She had begun her journey before the sun rose.
The chef had begun preparing the meal when the guests arrived.
The investigation had begun long before the evidence was discovered.
The artist had begun sketching the portrait when inspiration struck.

Example Sentences Using Began

On the other hand, began is the simple past tense of begin. It is used without a helping verb and refers to actions that started and occurred entirely in the past. Here are some examples:

The sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the horizon.
The construction of the new building began last month.
They began their journey before dawn to avoid the traffic.
The meeting began with a brief introduction from the chairperson.
He began to feel more confident as he gained experience in his new role.
The children began to play as soon as they arrived at the park.
The movie began with an intense action sequence.
She began to realize the importance of time management as her workload increased.
She began writing her novel last year.
They began to decorate the house for the party.

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Jim Manheim

Jim Manheim is a highly skilled writer, editor, and teacher from Michigan, with a wealth of experience and expertise in the English language, including slang and idioms. He is widely recognized as a word geek and a music enthusiast, as well as a grammar and writing expert, with a passion for language that shines through in his work.