GIVE ANSWERS - English

In general, the difference between ”start” and ”begin” is that ”start” tends to be used in more informal registers of speaking and writing while ”begin” is used more formally.

There are some instances where only ”start” is used and not ”begin”.

For example. when describing the commencement of the operation of a piece of machinery, we would say ”to start an engine/car”, not ”begin”. In American English, it’s possible to say ”to start a fire”.

In each case, the activity commences with an action with a very short duration - the car/engine with pressing a button or turning a switch or a fire with a small spark. So we don’t use ”begin” for these.