Starting an activity

The idea

An event can start at a time. A person can start work, start reading or start to read. With she, use starts.

Examples

• The film starts at seven.
• We start our lesson after lunch.
• She starts work on Monday.
• The game starts in ten minutes.
• I start reading in the garden.
• They start to cook at noon.

Watch out

After starts, use an action in the -ing form or an infinitive, not a second finite verb.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct form. The class ___ at nine. (start / starts)

   Show answer or example answer

   starts

   Starts agrees with the singular class.

2. Choose the correct form. We ___ the meeting now. (start / starts)

   Show answer or example answer

   start

   Start goes with the subject we.

3. Choose the correct form. She starts ___ a song. (singing / sings)

   Show answer or example answer

   singing

   Singing names the action that begins.

Use it today

Say when a class starts and what you start doing.