Begun vs. Began: What’s the Difference?

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When it comes to using the past tense in English, it can be challenging to know when to use “began” or “begun.” These two words are often confused, but they have different meanings and uses. Understanding the difference between them is crucial for effective communication in both spoken and written English.

What Do “Begin,” “Began,” and “Begun” Mean?

The words begin, began, and begun are all different forms of the same verb: to begin, which means to start something. These words are used in different tenses, depending on when the action happens.

Understanding these forms helps students use correct grammar in writing and speaking.

Present Tense: Begin

Use “begin” when talking about something that:

• Is happening now
• Happens regularly
• Is a general or habitual action

🔹 Example: I begin work at 8 a.m. every day.
🔹 Example: Classes begin in September.
🔹 Example: Let’s begin the meeting now.

Grammar Tip: Use “begin” with I, you, we, they or change to begins for he, she, it.

🔸 He begins his homework after dinner.

Past Tense: Began

Use “began” when the action:

• Happened in the past
• Is finished and not connected to the present

🔹 Example: She began her homework last night.
🔹 Example: They began the movie at 7 p.m.
🔹 Example: We began learning English in school.

Grammar Tip: “Began” is a simple past verb. Do not use “has,” “have,” or “had” with it.

❌ Incorrect: She has began writing a story.
✅ Correct: She has begun writing a story.

Past Participle: Begun

Use “begun” with helping verbs like:

• has (He/She/It)
• have (I/You/We/They)
• had (past perfect tense)

This form is used in:

• Present perfect (has/have + past participle)
• Past perfect (had + past participle)
• Future perfect (will have + past participle)

🔹 Example: They have begun their journey.
🔹 Example: He had begun writing the report before the meeting.
🔹 Example: By noon, we will have begun the exam.

Grammar Tip: “Begun” is never used alone. It always needs a helping verb in front.

❌ Incorrect: I begun my project yesterday.
✅ Correct: I began my project yesterday.
✅ Correct: I have begun my project.

When to Use “Began” and “Begun”

When to Use “Began”?

Use “began” when you are talking about something that started in the past and you are not using a helping verb (like has, have, or had). This form is used in the simple past tense.

You can use “began” in:

• Daily conversations about the past
• Stories and personal experiences
• Historical facts or events

More Example Sentences:

• We began class 10 minutes late today.
• My grandmother began learning to read when she was 60.
• The rain began just after we left the house.
• Everyone began to clap after the speech.

When to Use “Begun”

Use “begun” only when it comes after a helping verb such as has, have, or had. This is the past participle form and is used in perfect tenses.

Perfect tenses are used when:

• An action has recently finished
• An action started in the past and is still happening
• You’re showing that something happened before another event

More Example Sentences:

• They have begun cleaning the classroom.
• She has begun watching the new series.
• I had begun to feel tired before the trip ended.
• By 9 a.m., the students had already begun the exam.

Common Mistakes

Here are some mistakes English learners often make — and how to correct them:

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct form: began or begun

1. She has ______ to study for the test.

2. We ______ our vacation last Friday.

3. I have already ______ the book you recommended.

4. They ______ building the house in 2020.

5. He had ______ to feel better before the storm came.

Answers:

1. begun

2. began

3. begun

4. began

5. begun

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