Begin and start

Meaning: Begin and start can both be used with the same meaning.
•I began/started teaching when I was 24.
•If Sheela doesn't come soon, let's begin/start without her.

Cases where ‘begin’ is not possible



Start (but not begin) is used to mean:

A: 'start a journey’
üI think we ought to start at six, while the roads are empty.

B: 'start working' (for machines)
üMy car broke down on the way. I tried a lot but it won't start.

C: 'make something start'
üHow do you start the washing machine? The President's wife fired the gun to start the race.
•