start
Primary: verbCan function as: verb, noun, adjective
Zero derivation between verb and noun forms; adjective use mainly in compounds
π Pronunciation
/stΙΛt/
Syllables: start
Stress: single syllable
British /stΙΛt/, American /stΙrt/
π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Word Family
| Word Class | Forms |
|---|---|
| Verbs | start, starts, started, starting |
| Nouns | start, starter, start-up |
| Adjectives | starting |
Highly productive base for compounds and derivatives
π Noun Forms
| Singular: | start |
| Plural: | starts |
| Possessive: | start's |
Compound Forms
head start, false start, quick start
Derived Forms
With suffixes: starter (-er), start-up (-up)
π― Verb Forms
| Infinitive: | to start |
| Base form: | start |
| 3rd person singular: | starts |
| Past simple: | started |
| Past participle: | started |
| Present participle: | starting |
| Gerund: | starting |
π Meanings & Definitions
Noun Meanings
1
the beginning point or first part of something
Countability: countable
“We'll meet at the start of the race”
“Let's make a fresh start”
Common collocations: false start, fresh start, head start
Synonyms: beginning, commencement, outset
Antonyms: end, finish, conclusion
neutralgeneral
2
an advantage or lead given at the beginning
Countability: countable
“He got a head start in his career through family connections”
Common collocations: head start, early start
Synonyms: advantage, lead
neutralgeneral
Verb Meanings
1
begin doing something or begin to happen
Aspect: action | Continuous: Yes
“The meeting starts at 9:00”
“When do you start your new job?”
Synonyms: begin, commence, initiate
neutralgeneral
2
cause something to begin operating or functioning
Aspect: action | Continuous: Yes
“He couldn't start his car this morning”
Synonyms: activate, initiate, trigger
neutralgeneral
Adjective Meanings
1
initial or beginning (mainly in compounds)
“start time”
“start date”
Synonyms: initial, beginning
neutral
π§ Verb Patterns
start + infinitive
“She started to cry”
Note: Indicates beginning of action
start + gerund
“The baby started crying”
Note: More common in spoken English
start + object
“Let's start the meeting”
Note: Transitive use
Transitivity
Type: both
Passive possible: Yes
Passive examples:
“The meeting was started late”
π€ Collocations
Verb + Noun
Adjective + Noun
β οΈ Common Errors
β I am starting learn Englishββ I am starting to learn English
Missing 'to' with infinitive
Common for: Common in languages without infinitive marker
Medium impact
β The movie will start in 8:00ββ The movie will start at 8:00
Wrong preposition with time
π Etymology
Origin: Old English 'styrtan' meaning 'to leap up, jump'
Original meaning: “to move suddenly”
Development: Evolved from physical movement to beginning of action
Related words in other languages: German 'stΓΌrzen'
π Register & Frequency
Frequency: top 1000 words
Spoken: common
Written: common
Academic: common
Business: common
Formality: neutral