Began vs. Begun

Attribute	Began	Begun
Definition	The past tense of the verb "begin".	The past participle of the verb "begin".
Usage	Used to indicate the start or initiation of an action or event in the past.	Used in combination with auxiliary verbs to form various tenses.
Verb Form	Simple past tense	Past participle
Examples	"She began her journey early in the morning."	"He has begun studying for the exam."
Regular/ Irregular	Regular verb	Irregular verb
Conjugation	Infinitive: begin Simple Present: begins Simple Past: began Present Participle: beginning Present Perfect: have/has begun Past Perfect: had begun Future: will begin	Infinitive: begin Simple Present: begins Simple Past: began Present Participle: beginning Present Perfect: have/has begun Past Perfect: had begun Future: will have begun

Introduction

When it comes to the English language, understanding the correct usage of words can be a challenging task. Two such words that often cause confusion are "began" and "begun." While they may sound similar and share the same root word, they have distinct meanings and usage. In this article, we will explore the attributes of "began" and "begun" to shed light on their differences and help you use them correctly in your writing.

Definition and Usage of Began

"Began" is the past tense form of the verb "begin." It is used to indicate the starting point of an action or event in the past. When you use "began," you are referring to an action that started at a specific time in the past and may or may not have continued beyond that point. For example:

• I began my journey to become a writer when I was in high school.
• The construction of the new building began last month.
• She began her presentation with an engaging story.

As you can see, "began" is used to describe actions or events that started in the past but do not necessarily indicate their completion or continuation.

Definition and Usage of Begun

"Begun" is the past participle form of the verb "begin." It is used to indicate the completion or continuation of an action or event that started in the past. When you use "begun," you are referring to an action that started at a specific time in the past and is still ongoing or has been completed. For example:

• I have begun my journey to become a writer, and I am currently working on my first novel.
• The construction of the new building has begun, and it is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
• She has begun her presentation, and it is going well so far.

Unlike "began," "begun" implies that the action or event started in the past and has either continued or reached a point of completion.

Examples and Context

To further understand the differences between "began" and "begun," let's explore some examples and their contexts:

Example 1

Incorrect: I have began my new job last week.

Correct: I have begun my new job last week.

In this example, "begun" is the correct choice because it indicates that the action of starting the new job has taken place in the past and is still ongoing.

Example 2

Incorrect: The concert has began at 8 PM.

Correct: The concert has begun at 8 PM.

Here, "begun" is the appropriate choice as it signifies that the concert started at 8 PM and is still in progress.

Example 3

Incorrect: She began to learn Spanish, and now she can speak fluently.

Correct: She has begun to learn Spanish, and now she can speak fluently.

In this case, "has begun" is the correct usage because it indicates that the action of learning Spanish started in the past and has led to the current ability to speak fluently.

Conclusion

While "began" and "begun" may seem similar, their usage and meanings differ significantly. "Began" is used to describe actions or events that started in the past but do not necessarily indicate their completion or continuation. On the other hand, "begun" is used to indicate the completion or continuation of an action or event that started in the past. By understanding the distinctions between these two words, you can enhance your writing and ensure accurate communication. So, the next time you find yourself in a dilemma between "began" and "begun," remember their respective definitions and choose the appropriate one based on the context of your sentence.