Verbs for Beginning

to do or experience the first part of something

Let's begin the cooking process by chopping the vegetables.

to begin something new and continue doing it, feeling it, etc.

He started singing along to the song on the radio.

to begin to act, happen, etc. in a particular manner

The event started off with an inspiring speech from the keynote speaker.

used for encouraging someone to hurry

Come on, we're going to be late if we don't leave now!

to occur, often referring to something unwelcome

Despair seems to have set in among the team.

to free oneself from a place that one is being held against their will, such as a prison

The prisoners attempted to break out during the night.

to start an organized activity or operation

They plan to launch a marketing campaign to promote the event.

to officially introduce or launch a new product, service, or system

The company plans to roll the new smartphone out next month.

to board a plane or ship

After completing the check-in process, the passengers can embark the train to their destination.

to begin a process or course of action

After discussing the matter, they decided to proceed with the plan.

to start an action or event

The manager commenced the project by assigning tasks to each team member.

to search and discover something or someone that we have lost or do not know the location of

Did you find the remote control for the television?

to tell someone our name so they can know us, or to tell them someone else's name so they can know each other, normally happening in the first meeting

Allow me to introduce my colleague, Mr. Johnson.

to be the first one to do, use, invent, or discover something

Marie Curie pioneered research on radioactivity.

to start a new course of action

The company decided to initiate a new marketing campaign to promote their latest product.

to officially start or introduce something

The president will inaugurate a new economic policy aimed at boosting employment.

to make something such as a process, piece of equipment, etc. start working

He activated the alarm system before leaving the house.

to make something start working usually by flipping a switch

As soon as she entered the room, she switched the lights on.

to cause a machine, device, or system to start working or flowing, usually by pressing a button or turning a switch

Before using the printer, make sure to turn it on and check for paper.

to establish or introduce something, such as a policy or program

They instituted new safety protocols to prevent accidents.

to create a company or organization with the intention of running it over the long term

After years of planning, they finally established their own tech startup in Silicon Valley.

to start to be

The idea originated from a conversation between friends.

to change and become stronger or more advanced

The small startup has the potential to develop into a leading technology company.

to make a new interest or hobby a regular part of one's life

Let's take up the habit of reading before bedtime.

to continue or start an activity

After the interruption, they decided to go about their work to meet the project deadline.

to start a journey

They set out on their road trip as soon as the sun rose.

to immerse oneself fully and enthusiastically into a particular activity, subject, or experience

With the start of the new semester, students were ready to dive into their studies and pursue academic excellence.

to make something operate, especially by accident

Please don't set off the car alarm while I'm inside; the keys are on the seat.

to start focusing on and engaging in a task or activity in a serious or determined manner

She needed to get down to studying for her final exams.

to suddenly and intensely begin to express a particular emotion or reaction

He burst into applause as soon as the performance ended.

to start doing something suddenly and with great enthusiasm

The children launched into a game of tag.

to begin taking the early steps regarding an action, project, or goal

She started out her painting by sketching the basic outlines on the canvas.

to physically attack someone

The bullies set about the weaker student in a bullying incident.