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How to Say "they started" in Spanish

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empezaron

em-peh-SAH-ronempeˈθaɾon

verbA1general
Use 'empezaron' when referring to the initiation of an action, event, or process, especially when emphasizing the beginning itself.
A simple illustration showing three small, brightly colored figures taking their first steps forward from a white starting line on a grassy field.

Examples

Los niños empezaron a reír cuando vieron el payaso.

The children started to laugh when they saw the clown.

Los niños empezaron a gritar cuando vieron el pastel.

The children started shouting when they saw the cake.

Ellas empezaron el proyecto la semana pasada y ya casi terminan.

They began the project last week and are almost done.

¿A qué hora empezaron ustedes la reunión?

What time did you (plural, formal) start the meeting?

The Past Action Form (Preterite)

Use 'empezaron' to talk about a starting action that happened once and is fully finished in the past. Think of it like a specific kickoff moment.

Action Linker 'a'

To say that a group 'started to do' something, you must place the preposition 'a' after 'empezaron': 'Empezaron a correr' (They started to run).

Preterite vs. Imperfect

Mistake: “Using 'empezaban' when you mean a single, completed start.”

Correction: Use 'empezaron' (preterite) for a specific start time, like 'The games started at eight.' Use 'empezaban' (imperfect) to talk about habitual starting or setting the scene, like 'They used to start late.'

Missing the 'a'

Mistake: “Empezaron correr.”

Correction: Empezaron **a** correr. Always add 'a' before the next verb when 'empezar' means 'to start doing something'.

comenzaron

koh-men-SAH-rohnko.menˈθa.ɾon

verbA1general
Use 'comenzaron' when referring to a past action that has been completed, often implying a more formal or structured beginning.
Three colorful, stylized figures simultaneously running forward, having just crossed a white starting line on a grassy track, illustrating the beginning of a group action.

Examples

Los estudiantes comenzaron la tarea antes de la clase.

The students started the homework before class.

Los estudiantes comenzaron a escribir su ensayo hace una hora.

The students started writing their essay an hour ago.

Ellos no sabían dónde comenzar, pero al final comenzaron el proyecto.

They didn't know where to start, but in the end they began the project.

Las campanas comenzaron a sonar justo a medianoche.

The bells began to ring right at midnight.

The Simple Past Tense (Pretérito)

This form ('comenzaron') is used to talk about actions that a group completed at a specific, finished time in the past (e.g., yesterday, last week, at 5:00 PM).

Using 'a' after Comenzar

When you use 'comenzar' followed by another action (another verb), you must connect them using the word 'a': 'Comenzaron a bailar' (They started to dance).

Confusing Past Tenses

Mistake: “Using 'comenzaban' when you mean 'comenzaron'.”

Correction: Use 'comenzaron' for a single, complete event ('They started the game at 7:00'). Use 'comenzaban' (imperfect) for ongoing or habitual actions in the past ('They used to start work early').

Interchangeability vs. Nuance

Learners often use 'comenzaron' and 'empezaron' interchangeably, which is frequently acceptable. However, 'empezar' leans towards the initiation of an action, while 'comenzar' can sometimes imply a more formal or completed start.

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