Conjugation of "Start" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To begin doing something; to set something in motion for the first time.
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All 12 Tenses of "Start"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "start" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I start |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I started |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will start |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am starting |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was starting |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be starting |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have started |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had started |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have started |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been starting |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been starting |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been starting |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Start" — Started
The past simple of "start" is "started" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.
- The race started when the gun fired. A2
Past Participle of "Start" — Started
The past participle of "start" is "started" — the same form as the past simple, since "start" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have started") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was started").
- The race started when the gun fired. A2
Is "Start" Regular or Irregular?
"Start" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "started". The 3rd-person singular present is "starts" and the gerund/present participle is "starting".
Conjugation pattern: regular
How to Pronounce "Start" and Its Forms
Start: /stɑːrt/ — Stress pattern: O
Pronounced /stɑːrt/ with the long 'ah' sound and final 't' sound.
Common mispronunciation of "start"
Some learners add extra sound: /stɑːrət/ instead of /stɑːrt/.
How to Use "Start" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'start with' to show what comes first; 'start to' or 'start + gerund' show beginning an action.
start + nounstart to + verbstart + gerund
Example Sentences with "Start" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: We start school at nine o'clock. A1
- Simple Past: The race started when the gun fired. A2
Common Collocations with "Start"
- start work/school — I start work at 8am.
- start a business — They started a tech company in 2020.
- start to/start -ing — It started to rain. / It started raining.
- start from — Let's start from the beginning.
- start over — We made a mistake; let's start over.
When to Use "Start" vs Similar Verbs
"start" vs "startle"
Similar spelling; startle means to surprise suddenly.
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- begin — neutral, most common alternative
- commence — for formal or official events and situations
Antonyms: end, finish, stop
Common Mistakes with "Start"
-
Wrong: She startes her new job.
Correct: She starts her new job.
Add only "s" for third-person singular; not "tes". -
Wrong: It started rain before we left.
Correct: It started raining. / It started to rain.
Use gerund "-ing" or "to + infinitive" after "start". -
Wrong: He will start from new.
Correct: He will start over. / He will start fresh. / He will start anew.
Use "start over", not "start from new".
Origin and Etymology of "Start"
From Old English styrtan; possibly from Proto-Germanic meaning 'to leap or rush forward'.
Used universally to indicate the beginning of any action or event.
Conjugation Tables for "Start"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not start · He does not start
- Simple past: I did not start · She did not start
- Present perfect: I have not started · He has not started
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you start? · Does he start?
- Simple past: Did you start?
- Present perfect: Have you started?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is started
- Simple past passive: It was started
- Present perfect passive: It has been started
Frequently Asked Questions About "Start"
- Is "start" regular or irregular?
- "start" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "started".
- What is the past tense of "start"?
- The simple past of "start" is "started".
- When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "start"?
- Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I start every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am starting right now."
- What's a common mistake with "start"?
- Add only "s" for third-person singular; not "tes". Wrong: "She startes her new job." Correct: "She starts her new job."