Beginning vs. Starting: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 26, 2023
"Beginning" refers to the point or time at which something starts, while "Starting" refers to the action of initiating or commencing something.
Key Differences
"Beginning" and "Starting" are terms often used interchangeably but possess subtle differences. "Beginning" is a noun that refers to the point in time or space at which something starts, emphasizing the inception point of an event or action. Conversely, "Starting" is a verb that denotes the action or process of initiating, emphasizing the activity or motion of commencing something.
In contexts, "Beginning" is more about the initial stage or the starting point of an event, project, or period. For example, the beginning of a book refers to its initial part or section. On the other hand, "Starting" is more action-oriented and is used to describe the initiation of activities, like starting a car, which refers to the action of igniting the engine.
The word "Beginning" can refer to the origin or source, pointing to the initial phase of existence of something, such as the beginning of time or the beginning of a river. In contrast, "Starting" is more about triggering or causing the onset of actions or events, emphasizing more on the execution, like starting a race or starting an argument.
While "Beginning" is usually concerned with a specific point in time or a particular location in space, "Starting" is more concerned with the process, indicating the commencement of a sequence of activities or events. For instance, the beginning of a journey refers to its start point, while starting a journey refers to the act of beginning the travel.
"Beginning" and "Starting" also differ in grammatical usage; "beginning" is primarily used as a noun, while "starting" can be used as a verb, adjective, or a noun. The choice between these two words depends largely on the context in which they are used, with "beginning" focusing more on the initial point and "starting" on the action of initiating.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb, Adjective, Noun
Focus
On the initial point or stage of something.
On the action or process of initiating something.
Usage
Refers to the inception point of an event, action, or period.
Denotes the action or process of commencing or initiating.
Contextual Application
More about the start point or initial stage.
More about the execution and the commencement of actions or events
Representation
Represents the origin or the source.
Represents the triggering or causing the onset of actions or events.
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Beginning and Starting Definitions
Beginning
The circumstance or process of being originated.
The beginning of the universe is a topic of scientific research.
Starting
The point at which a race begins.
The runners are at the starting line.
Beginning
The initial stage or phase of something.
The project is still in the beginning stages.
Starting
Causing to operate or function.
Try starting the computer again.
Beginning
The point in time or space at which something starts.
The movie had an intriguing beginning.
Starting
To begin a movement, activity, or undertaking
She started to dance. The dog started barking. Once we start in, we'll get a feel for the project.
Beginning
The first part or section of something.
I missed the beginning of the lecture.
Starting
To move on the initial part of a journey
They started for the summit.
Beginning
The origin or source of something.
The Nile River has a distant beginning in the mountains.
Starting
To have a beginning; commence
The movie starts at nine.
Beginning
The act or process of bringing or being brought into being; a start
The beginning of the universe.
Starting
To come quickly into view, life, or activity; spring forth
The boy's tears started when the balloon popped.
Beginning
The time when something begins or is begun
The beginning of June.
Starting
To have as an initial part or job
I started as an assistant.
Beginning
The place where something begins or is begun
At the beginning of the road.
Starting
To move one's body or a part of it suddenly or involuntarily
Started at the loud noise.
Beginning
The first part
The front matter is at the beginning of the book.
Starting
(Sports) To be in the initial lineup of a game or race.
Beginning
Often beginnings An early stage or phase
The beginnings of human life on this planet.
Starting
To protrude or bulge
Eyes that fairly started from their sockets in fear.
Beginning
The source or cause
What was the beginning of the dispute?.
Starting
To become loosened or disengaged.
Beginning
(uncountable) The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a succession of acts or states.
Starting
To take the first step in doing
We start work at dawn.
Beginning
That which is begun; a rudiment or element.
Starting
To cause to come into being; make happen or originate
Bad wiring started the fire. The website started the rumor.
Beginning
That which begins or originates something; the source or first cause.
What was the beginning of the dispute?
Starting
To set into motion, operation, or activity
Start an engine.
A shot that started the race.
Beginning
The initial portion of some extended thing.
The author describes the main character's youth at the beginning of the story.
That house is at the beginning of the street.
Starting
To begin to attend
Start school.
Beginning
Present participle of begin
He is beginning to read a new book.
Starting
To cause (someone) to have an initial position or role
The manager started him in marketing.
Beginning
(informal) Of or relating to the first portion of some extended thing.
In the beginning paragraph of the chapter
In the beginning section of the course
Starting
To play in the initial lineup of (a game).
Beginning
The act of doing that which begins anything; commencement of an action, state, or space of time; entrance into being or upon a course; the first act, effort, or state of a succession of acts or states.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Starting
To put (a player) into the initial lineup of a game.
Beginning
That which begins or originates something; the first cause; origin; source.
I am . . . the beginning and the ending.
Starting
To enter (a participant) into a race or game.
Beginning
That which is begun; a rudiment or element.
Mighty things from small beginnings grow.
Starting
To found; establish
Start a business.
Beginning
Enterprise.
Starting
To tend in an early stage of development
Start seedlings.
Beginning
The event consisting of the start of something;
The beginning of the war
Starting
To rouse (game) from its hiding place or lair; flush.
Beginning
The time at which something is supposed to begin;
They got an early start
She knew from the get-go that he was the man for her
The middle of the war
Rain during the middle of April
Starting
To cause to become displaced or loosened.
Beginning
The first part or section of something;
`It was a dark and stormy night' is a hackneyed beginning for a story
A whole is that which has beginning, middle, and end
Starting
An act of beginning; an initial effort
I made a start on keeping a journal.
Beginning
The place where something begins, where it springs into being;
The Italian beginning of the Renaissance
Jupiter was the origin of the radiation
Pittsburgh is the source of the Ohio River
Communism's Russian root
Starting
The beginning of a new construction project
An application for a building start.
Beginning
The act of starting something;
He was responsible for the beginning of negotiations
Starting
A result of an initial effort
What we did may not sound like much, but it's a start.
Beginning
Serving to begin;
The beginning canto of the poem
The first verse
Starting
A place or time of beginning
At the start of the decade.
Starting
A starting line for a race.
Starting
A signal to begin a race.
Starting
An instance of beginning a race
A sprinter who improved her start.
Starting
An instance of being in the starting lineup for a game, especially as a pitcher
In five starts, he has three wins.
Starting
A startled reaction or movement.
Starting
A part that has become dislocated or loosened.
Starting
A position of advantage over others, as in a race or an endeavor; a lead
Our rivals have a three-month start in research.
Starting
An opportunity granted to pursue a career or course of action.
Starting
Present participle of start#Verb
Starting
The act of something that starts.
Constant startings and stoppings
Starting
A turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning);
He got his start because one of the regular pitchers was in the hospital
His starting meant that the coach thought he was one of their best linemen
Starting
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear;
With eyes starting from their sockets
Starting
Appropriate to the beginning or start of an event;
The starting point
Hands in the starting position
Starting
The action of commencing or initiating something.
Starting the engine took a few tries.
Starting
Initiating an operation or a process.
Starting a business requires capital and planning.
Starting
Leading to commence or initiate.
Starting a conversation can be challenging for some.
FAQs
Are "beginning" and "starting" interchangeable?
They are often used interchangeably but have subtle differences in focus and grammatical usage.
Can "starting" be used as an adjective?
Yes, as in "starting point," describing the point at which something begins.
Is "beginning" primarily a noun?
Yes, it is primarily used as a noun, referring to the start point or initial stage of something.
Is "starting" more action-oriented?
Yes, it emphasizes the action or process of initiating something.
Can "beginning" refer to the source of something?
Yes, it can refer to the origin or source of something, such as a river or time.
Can "beginning" refer to the initial phase of something?
Yes, it can refer to the initial stage or phase of an event, period, or project.
Does "starting" imply execution and triggering?
Yes, it implies the execution and the commencement of actions or events.
Can "beginning" be synonymous with "start"?
In many cases, yes, it can be synonymous with "start," referring to the point at which something commences.
Can "starting" refer to leading to commence?
Yes, it can refer to leading to commence or initiate, like starting a conversation.
Does "starting" refer to the onset of actions?
Yes, it represents the triggering or causing the onset of actions or events.
Is "beginning" used to describe the first part of something?
Yes
Can "beginning" represent a location?
Yes, it can represent a specific location in space where something starts.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
