The verb to start · Conjugation
Past Simple of start
The answer: started
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to start is started.
Example: The movie started at 8.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | started |
| You | started |
| He / She / It | started |
| We | started |
| You (pl.) | started |
| They | started |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. The film begined at 8 ❌
Start and begin mean the same, but they do not work the same way. Start is regular: started. Begin is irregular: began, begun. So say The film began at 8 or The film started at 8.
2. It started rain ❌
After start, the next verb needs to or -ing: It started to rain. It started raining. Both are correct.
Practice quiz
Going further
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of start?+
Start is regular: its Past Simple is started, the same for every person. I started a new book yesterday.
Is it started to or started doing?+
Both are correct: She started to cry. She started crying. Choose the one that sounds better in your sentence.
What is the difference between start and begin?+
They mean the same. Start is more common in everyday English: Start your engines! Begin is a little more formal: You may now begin your essays. Remember that begin is irregular (began, begun) and start is regular.
What is a start-up company?+
A start-up is a new, small company, often in technology. The word is now used in many countries.
What does get started mean?+
Get started means to begin an activity: Let's get started! In the past: We got started early in the morning.
Related pages: start Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
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/past-simple
© 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.
Keep learning
More forms of the verb to start are coming soon.