Began vs. Begun
“Began” and “begun” are different forms of the irregular verb “begin.” “Began” is the simple past, while “begun” is the past participle used in perfect constructions and, where applicable, passive constructions.
Use “began” for the simple past and “begun” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Grammar job | Use | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Simple past | began | The meeting began at nine. |
| After have / has / had | begun | The meeting has begun. |
| Past participle in another participial construction | begun | Use the participle where the grammar requires it. |
Quick tests
Auxiliary test
Is the form following “have,” “has,” or “had,” or otherwise functioning as a past participle?
If yes: Use “begun.”
If no: For a simple past statement without that auxiliary, use “began.”
Caveat: The contrast is grammatical, not stylistic.
Examples
The concert began late.
“Began” is the simple past.
The concert has begun.
After “has,” use the past participle “begun.”
The concert has began.
Better: The concert has begun.
A perfect construction requires the past participle.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Began” is the simple-past form of “begin”; “begun” is the past participle used with auxiliaries such as have, has, or had and in passive constructions when the verb permits them.
Fast Test
If have, has, or had directly governs the form of “begin,” choose “begun.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “began.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Begin — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct verb-form evidence: begin has past tense began and past participle begun.