ENGLISH
REFERENCE

begged

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈbɛɡd// UK //bˈɛɡd// begged

v. asked for something in a very strong, emotional way because you wanted or needed it badly. You use this when you are desperate or have no other choice.

v. requested something with great urgency or humility; pleaded for a favour or for mercy. The past tense and past participle of 'beg'.


SIMPLE

He begged his parents to let him stay out late.

CONTEXTUAL

The prisoner begged for a second chance, promising to change his ways if he were released.

COMPLEX

Having exhausted every legal avenue, the family begged the governor for a stay of execution, citing new evidence that had only recently come to light.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive when followed by a direct object or an infinitive, but often functions intransitively with the preposition 'for'.

Pitfall

He begged to me for helpHe begged me for helpWhen 'beg' is followed by a person, it is transitive and does not take the preposition 'to'.

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