“Begin” vs. “Start”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “begin” and “start”

  • "Begin" has a more formal connotation than "start," which is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
  • "Start" can be used as a noun or verb, but "begin" can only be used as a verb.
  • Although generally interchangeable, "begin" can be used for more formal processes, while "start" has a broader application and can be used for a range of activities.
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What is the definition of “begin” and “start”?

Begin
  • "Begin" means to start something or to initiate a process.
  • It can also refer to the point in time when something starts or becomes active.
  • "Begin" means undergoing the first part of an action or activity.
Start
  • "Start" means to begin doing something or to set something in motion.
  • It can also refer to the beginning of an event or an action.
  • "Start" is often used in a more general sense than begin and can apply to a range of activities or situations.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Start” is the more popular variant on the web.
Begin
2,080,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I will begin studying for my exams tomorrow morning.
  2. She will begin her road trip to California next week.
  3. Let's begin the meeting by going over our agenda.
More popular
Start
9,140,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. He will start his new job as a software engineer next month.
  2. We need to start preparing the presentation for our upcoming conference.
  3. The concert will start at 6 pm, so make sure to arrive early.
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