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.
As for fish, settlers had begun introducing non-native species by the late 1800s for sport fishing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
Fans had begun queuing more than an hour before the doors opened.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
MarketWatch wrote in March 2025 that he thought such a market surge had begun.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
Meta said Wednesday it had begun testing Community Notes in 16 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, a step toward replacing the professional fact-checking program it runs with partner organizations across the region.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
Seven went to her room and punched in the date Tia had told her, the one when the cuco attacks had begun, along with the words Boggs Ferry.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
