開始的英文有begin 或start,大多數情況中兩者意思幾乎沒有區別,此外,這兩個字也同時有幾個主要的使用方式,熟記之後可以順利在段落間替換使用!下面介紹begin和start三種常見用法:
▍皆可接不定詞,也可接 V-ing 形式(即動名詞),意思幾乎沒有區別。
Midge began to consider the possibility of going abroad for college.
(began to consider → started to consider)
= Midge began considering the possibility of going abroad for college.
(began considering → started considering)
譯:米姬開始考慮去國外讀大學。

▍兩者進行式後面,要用不定詞,不要用動名詞。
Midge was beginning to consider the possibility of going abroad for college.
(was beginning to consider只能接不定詞)
= Midge was starting to consider the possibility of going abroad for college.
(was starting to consider只能接不定詞)
譯:米姬開始考慮去國外讀大學。

▍兩者後面如果是狀態動詞,比如 believe、understand、realize、know 等,只用不定詞,不用動名詞。
I have finally begun to understand why Aunt Alice bought this palace.
= I have finally started to understand why Aunt Alice bought this palace.
譯:我終於開始明白了艾麗絲姨媽買這棟豪宅的原因。

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※ 本文節錄自《Don't Say It! 600個你一定會錯的英文》
※ 延伸閱讀:
[書籍] 英文文法全書【二版】
[講堂] 機場出境常用英文


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