commencer
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., acheter).
transitive verb
a. to start
Quand Fanny a-t-elle commencé des cours de guitare ?When did Fanny start guitar lessons?
b. to begin
Rodolphe a commencé la peinture à l’âge de quatre ans.Rodolphe began painting when he was four years old.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., éternuer.).
intransitive verb
a. to start
Le match commence à 19 heures, nous devons donc quitter la maison à 17 heures pour arriver à l’heure.The game starts at seven o'clock, so we need to leave home by five o'clock to get there on time.
b. to begin
Quand les cours d'été commencent-ils cette année ?When does summer school begin this year?
a. to start to
Simon a commencé à marcher à l'âge de 14 mois.Simon started to walk at the age of 14 months.
b. to begin to
Les rosiers ont commencé à fleurir très tôt cette année.The rosebushes began to bloom very early this year.
a. to start with
Le roman commence par une série de citations qui annoncent l’histoire à venir.The novel starts with a series of quotes that hint at the story to come.
b. to begin with
La réunion commencera par une brève présentation.The meeting will begin with a brief presentation.
a. to start by
Je commence par nettoyer la cuisine, et après je nettoie le salon.I start by cleaning the kitchen, and then I clean the living room.
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