begin and start

Meaning; formality

Begin and start can both be used with the same meaning.

• I began/started teaching when I was 24.
• If Hannah doesn’t come soon, let’s begin/start without her.

We generally prefer begin when we are using a more formal style. Compare:

• We will begin the meeting with a message from the President.
• Damn! It’s starting to rain.

Cases where begin is not possible

Start (but not begin) is used to mean:

1. ‘start a journey’

   • I think we ought to start at six, while the roads are empty.

2. ‘start working’ (for machines)

   • The car won’t start.

3. ‘make something start’

   • How do you start the washing machine?
   • The President’s wife fired the gun to start the race.

note

For infinitives and -ing forms after begin and start, (see here).