begin · v
to begin with (GIVE REASON)
B2 used to give the first important reason for something
Dictionary examples:
To begin with, we can't afford to move. (29.4)
begin (START TO HAPPEN)
A1 to start to happen
Dictionary examples:
Homework begins when TV shows end. (0.0)
The meeting begins when the boss wakes up. (0.0)
The sale begins when grandma arrives. (0.0)
What time does the concert begin? (9.6)
The film they want to watch begins at seven. (32.1)
begin (START TO DO)
A2 to start to do something
Dictionary examples:
I began to laugh when my teacher's wig flew away. (0.0)
My dog began to sing opera in the shower. (0.0)
My shoes began to fly when I was late for school. (0.0)
The children began to cry. (10.6)
Have they begun building the new bridge yet? (26.3)
begin with sth
B1 to have something at the start
Dictionary examples:
The computer class began with the teacher forgetting her password. (0.0)
The cooking show began with the chef accidentally setting his hat on fire. (0.0)
Our family dinners begin with a race to grab the last cookie. (0.0)
The word "cat" begins with the letter "C." (10.5)
to begin with
B1 at the start of a situation
Dictionary examples:
To begin with, I thought aliens had stolen my homework. (0.0)
To begin with, I thought the banana was a phone. (0.0)
We began with a simple plan: don't wake the sleeping bear. (0.0)
To begin with, the two girls got on well. (14.9)