Compare the beginning of an activity with access to a place.
The idea
Start means begin an activity; open can mean make a place accessible.
| Verb | Typical use |
|---|---|
| start | begin an activity |
| open | make a place accessible |
Examples
- We start the lesson at nine.
- The children start a game after lunch.
- I start work on Monday.
- They open the library at ten.
- Please open the door for the visitors.
- The café opens early on Saturdays.
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Watch out
A shop can open for customers, but a lesson usually starts rather than opening to visitors.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct word. Let’s ___ the meeting now. (start / open)
Show answer or example answer
start
start: the meeting is an activity beginning now.
Choose the correct word. They ___ the museum to visitors at noon. (start / open)
Show answer or example answer
open
open: visitors gain access to the museum.
Choose the correct word. We ___ our walk after breakfast. (start / open)
Show answer or example answer
start
start: the walk begins after breakfast.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct word. Let’s ___ the meeting now. (start / open)
Choose the correct word. They ___ the museum to visitors at noon. (start / open)
Choose the correct word. We ___ our walk after breakfast. (start / open)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe when an activity starts and when a place opens.