A Corpus-based approach to synonyms

: A case study of start and begin

Abstract

  English has a rich inventory of synonyms. Although native speakers can use them properly almost unconsciously, it is difficult to explain how they are different in meaning. In particular, the more abstract they are, the more difficult it is to explain. A pair of synonyms, start and begin, is the case.
  This research makes an attempt to offer an explanation of the differences of start and begin in meaning, using authentic examples from Corpus of Contemporary American English. The complement examined is limited to noun phrases after these verbs. The survey shows that start prefers nouns referring to machines(e.g. engine, machine), fire (e.g. fire and blaze) and business (e.g. company and business) whereas begin prefers nouns referring to language (e.g. tale and poem), interaction (e.g. collaboration) and travelling (e.g. exploration and odyssey).