Lesson 008

Start or begin?

Start and begin mean the same thing but begin is more formal than start.

Example:

When did you begin learning English?

When did you start learning English?

But: We use start, but not begin, to talk about machines.

Press the button to start the printer.

The lawnmower won’t start.

And we also use start and not begin to talk about creating a new business.

Example:

She started a new business and it’s been going really well.