ENGLISH
REFERENCE

begun

v.
US //ˈbeɪɡən// UK //bɪɡˈʌn// be·gun
  1. 1 past participle of begin (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    the form of 'begin' used after 'have', 'has', or 'had' to show that an action started in the past.

    the past participle of the irregular verb 'begin'. It is used to form the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect tenses.

    Example

    The rain had already begun by the time we reached the house.

    Example

    By the time the delegates arrived for the summit, the preliminary discussions had already begun in the smaller conference rooms.

    Usage

    Always requires an auxiliary verb like 'have', 'has', or 'had' in standard modern English.
    Pitfall
    The movie has began.
    The movie has begun.

    Use 'begun' after 'has' or 'have'. 'Began' is the simple past and does not take a helping verb.

Last updated June 19, 2026