begin
verb (used without object)
to proceed to perform the first or earliest part of some action; commence; start.
had begun
-
past perfectof begin.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Vanessa Trump separated from Trump Jr in 2018 and announced last year that she had begun dating US pro golfer Tiger Woods.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
In mid-September, the Clark had begun a quiet, soft reopening.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Last month, Meta said it had begun testing its own version of Community Notes in 16 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, in a step toward replacing its fact-checking program.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
The Red Sox, however, lost the next day, continuing a record of World Series futility that had begun in 1919 and would last until 2004, when the Curse of the Bambino was finally broken.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
Since then, since that afternoon — on the bus, at night before bed — I had begun to think of ways I could save her life.
From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott
