Regular verb
The verb to start
start → started → started
A1Meaning: to begin doing something; to make a machine begin working · Type: regular · Frequency: Top 10 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
start / starts - Past Simple:
started - Past participle:
started - -ing form:
starting
Conjugation of the verb to start
Present Simple
| I | start |
| You | start |
| He / She / It | starts |
| We | start |
| You (pl.) | start |
| They | start |
Past Simple
| I | started |
| You | started |
| He / She / It | started |
| We | started |
| You (pl.) | started |
| They | started |
All the forms of the verb to start
Present Simple
Full pagestart / starts
“School starts at 8.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are starting
“I am starting the game right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagestarted
“The movie started at 8.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were starting
“I was starting the game when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has started
“I have already started the game.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad started
“She had already started the game when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill start
“I will start the game tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to start
“I'm going to start the game this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould start
“I would start the game if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to start
1. Beginning something
- It starts at 8.
2. Starting a car or a machine
With a car or a machine, start means to begin working. Begin is not used here.
- The car won't start.
3. Get started
Get started means to begin an activity.
- Let's get started!
A common mistake
1. The film start at 8 ❌
With he, she or it, the Present Simple adds -s: The film starts at 8. In the Past Simple, there is one form for every person: The film started at 8.
Going further
Conjugating to start is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
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Practise on PLAYYou can conjugate to start. Now say it out loud.
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Related pages: start
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of start?+
Start is a regular verb: add -ed. Its Past Simple and its past participle are both started: The lesson started at nine.
What is the difference between start and begin?+
Start and begin mean the same. Start is the everyday word, used everywhere: The class starts at nine. Begin is a little more formal and common in writing: The ceremony begins at noon. Only start works for machines: The car won't start.
Is it start to do or start doing?+
Both are correct and mean almost the same: It started to rain. It started raining. The -ing form can make the action feel longer and already in progress, but in most sentences you can use either one.
What does get started mean?+
Get started means to begin an activity. It is very common when people speak: Let's get started! means let's begin now. Are you ready to get started?
What is a start-up?+
A start-up (also written startup) is a new, small company, often in technology, that wants to grow fast. The person who creates it is the founder. A short talk to present the idea to investors is a pitch.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/start
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.