Began vs. Begun — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
Began is the past tense of "begin," indicating a started action. Begun is the past participle, used with "have" to show a completed action.
Difference Between Began and Begun
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Began and Begun both derive from the verb "begin," but their uses in sentences differ based on tense and structure.
Began is the simple past tense, used to indicate that an action started but might not be completed. For instance, "She began reading a book."
On the other hand, Begun is the past participle form. It requires an auxiliary verb, typically "has" or "have," to show that an action was initiated and then completed. For instance, "She has begun a new project."
Comparison Chart
Tense
Simple Past
Past Participle
Usage
Indicates a started action.
Used with "have" to show completed action.
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Auxiliary Verb Required
No
Yes (e.g., has/have)
Example
"She began working."
"She has begun working."
Common Mistake
—
Using without an auxiliary verb.
Compare with Definitions
Began
The past tense form of "begin".
The movie began at 7.
Begun
The past participle form of "begin".
The project has begun.
Began
Used to introduce an event in the past.
The ceremony began with a song.
Begun
Indicates an action that started and may or may not have been completed.
The construction has already begun.
Began
Denotes the initiation of a process.
The team began their research.
Begun
Used with an auxiliary verb to show action progression.
They have begun to understand the implications.
Began
Indicates the start of an action.
He began writing his thesis.
Begun
Denotes an initiated action in relation to another event.
By the time I arrived, the event had already begun.
Began
Refers to the origin or starting point of something.
The trend began in Europe.
Begun
Suggests the commencement of an activity in the more distant past.
The course had begun when she joined.
Began
Past tense of begin.
Begun
For Begun farmer's movement see Begun movement. For people with Begun surname see Begun (surname).Begun is a city and a municipality in Chittaurgarh district in the state of Rajasthan, India.Begu was offered along with Gothlai to Chunda ji, crown prince of mewar in 15th century AD, and so it was ruled by the Chundawat sisodia Rajputs of Mewar.
Began
(obsolete) begin
Begun
Past participle of begin.
Begun
Inflection of begin
Common Curiosities
Do Began and Begun have the same meaning?
They both relate to the start of an action but are used in different tenses.
What is the main difference between Began and Begun?
Began is the past tense; Begun is the past participle used with "have".
Why is the phrase "She has began" incorrect?
Because "has" requires the past participle form "begun".
Which one should I use to indicate an action started in the past?
Use "Began" for simple past tense actions.
Which is more formal, Began or Begun?
Neither is more formal; their usage depends on tense.
Is it correct to say "She begun the work"?
No, it should be "She began the work" or "She has begun the work".
Can I use Begun by itself in a sentence?
No, Begun requires an auxiliary verb, such as "has" or "have".
Are these terms used differently in British vs. American English?
No, their usage is consistent in both versions.
Is "Begin" the base form of both Began and Begun?
Yes, "Begin" is the present form of the verb.
How can I remember the difference between Began and Begun?
Remember "Began" is simple past; "Begun" pairs with "has/have/had".
Can I say "The work has been began"?
No, it should be "The work has been begun".
Why is tense important when choosing between Began and Begun?
Because it determines the correct form and clarity of the action's timing.
Is it ever correct to say "They begun their journey"?
No, it should be "They began their journey" or "They have begun their journey".
Are there other verbs like "Begin" that have similar distinctions in past forms?
Yes, like "sing" (sang/sung) or "drink" (drank/drunk).
Do all verbs in English have a distinct past tense and past participle form?
No, but many irregular verbs do, like "Begin".
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
