journey began meaning

Began vs. Begun: What’s the Difference?

Home » Began vs. Begun: What’s the Difference?

When speaking or writing English, using the past tense can be confusing. There are many types of tenses when referring to events that have already happened. To make matters worse, English contains many irregular verbs that are conjugated in ways that don’t immediately make sense.

This lack of consistency can (and does) lead to quite a few mistakes. One of the easiest mistakes to make is to misuse began and begun, which are two forms of the irregular verb begin .

In spoken English, the two words are often used interchangeably, but in academic and professional writing, knowing the difference between these words is important.

Began vs Begun: What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between began and begun? In this article, I’ll explain the differences between began and begun, use these words in a sentence, and demonstrate how to choose began or begun and use each correctly.

When to Use Began

Began is the simple past tense form of begin. It does not need any helping, or auxiliary verbs , like had.

So, while you might say,

• Gavin began to open the package.

You would not say,

• Gavin had began to open the package.

Began is never used with a helping verb.

When to Use Begun

You could say,

• Yasmin had begun to eat the cake.

But you wouldn’t say,

• Yasmin begun to eat the cake.

If you’re using begun, it needs a helping verb in order to be correct.

This brings us to the differences between simple past and past participles. Simple past tense describes things that happened in the past. The sentence “Gavin began to open the package” describes an event that happened in the past. The past participle describes something that happened in the past in conjunction with other events in the past.

“Yasmin had begun to eat the cake” describes one of a sequence of events. For instance, one could say,

• Yasmin had already begun to eat the cake by the time we sang to her.

As you can see, began is not used with a helping verb.

Begun , on the other hand, is always used with a helping verb.

Trick to Remember the Difference

If you find yourself confused, remember that begun rhymes with one, and since begun is a past participle, it needs one more word to go with it: a helping verb.

Summary: Begun vs. Began

Began and begun are two forms of the irregular verb begin.

Began is the simple past conjugation.  Began is not used with any helping verb.

Begun is the past participle form. Begun must always have a helping verb to be correct.

If you have trouble deciding which word to use, remember that begun rhymes with one and always needs one helping verb in grammatically correct English.

Being able to use each word accurately when speaking or writing signifies intelligence and professionalism. If you’re having trouble deciding whether to use began or begun, you can always revisit this article as a quick refresher.

Lao Tzu: 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.'

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

The quote by Lao Tzu, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," encapsulates an essential and profound truth about life and achieving our goals. It emphasizes the significance of taking that initial step, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, as it is the catalyst that sets us on our path toward progress and transformation.At first glance, the meaning of this quote is straightforward. It suggests that any monumental endeavor, no matter how intimidating or daunting it may seem, must start with a single action. It reminds us that great achievements are not made overnight but rather through a series of consistent and deliberate actions taken over time. This quote serves as a reminder that every long and arduous journey is comprised of numerous small steps, each contributing to our overall progress.However, to truly delve into the depth of this quote, we can introduce an unexpected philosophical concept: the idea of the interconnectedness of all things. Building upon Lao Tzu's wisdom, we can explore the notion that our initial step not only sets us on our individual journey but also initiates a ripple effect, influencing the world around us.Imagine for a moment, the act of taking the first step is like dropping a pebble into a still pond. As the pebble breaks the surface of the water, it creates ripples that extend outward in ever-widening circles. Similarly, when we take that first step towards achieving our dreams, we create a ripple effect that can reach far beyond our immediate sphere of influence.For instance, consider the story of a young artist who decides to take that initial step and display their work publicly for the first time. Though they may feel small and insignificant in the grand scheme of the art world, their act of courage and vulnerability inspires someone who views their work. That person, in turn, becomes motivated to pursue their own creative endeavors, sparking a chain reaction of inspiration and creative expression.Moreover, the idea of interconnectedness can also be applied to personal growth and our impact on others. Volunteering our time or lending a helping hand to someone in need may seem like a small gesture, but its effects can be profound. By taking that single step, we not only make a positive difference in the lives of others but also cultivate a greater sense of compassion and empathy within ourselves.In essence, Lao Tzu's quote reminds us that no action is inconsequential. Every step we take holds the potential to create a ripple effect, both within ourselves and the world around us. It encourages us to be mindful of the choices we make and to recognize the power and significance of even the smallest actions.The concept of interconnectedness challenges us to acknowledge the immense influence our actions can have on the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us. It invites us to consider the profound interconnectedness that exists between individuals, communities, and the world as a whole.In conclusion, Lao Tzu's quote, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of initiating action and the power of individual choices. It reminds us that even the smallest step can start a journey of transformation and have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of others.By introducing the concept of interconnectedness, we are reminded of the ripple effect our actions can create. This philosophical idea adds a layer of depth and complexity to the quote, stimulating contemplation about the interconnected nature of our world and encouraging us to recognize the far-reaching consequences of our actions. So, let us remember to be mindful of the steps we take and the effects they may have - for the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and that step can change the world.

Lao Tzu: 'Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.'

Thomas jefferson: 'whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.'.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

Meaning of “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

This Chinese proverb means that a person must begin his or her journey to reach their goal or destination. It is a motivational proverb that expresses deep insight about determination and avoiding procrastination. It means a first step needs if we intend to finish a task or a thought on time . In other words, this expression tells that the great things commence with simple beginnings.

This proverb also stretches across two paradoxical phrases , ‘thousand miles’ and ‘single step’ while the emphasis is on a ‘single step.’ If an initiative is taken, the rest of the venture falls into place, and the mission starts. It also means that a voyage marked as a milestone starts with a single step. This proverb applies to a wide range of different circumstances where action needs to be taken for the completion of a task. Hence, in this saying ‘journey’ means a task/action and that it does not stay limited to traveling only. However, a step is an initiative or a starting point. A ‘thousand miles’ shows the longevity of a journey, while a ‘single step’ is an initial move. In other words, no matter how ambiguous the task is, how long the journey is or laborious the work is, a movement is always required to begin it.

Origin of “A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step”

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step” is a saying by an ancient Chinese philosopher. The original text is “A journey of a thousand li starts beneath one’s feet.”  Here li means distance. This quote was first used in Chinese classic text; Tao Te Ching attributed to Lao Tzu, a renowned Chinese philosopher. It was probably written between the 4 th or 6 th century.

Tzu’s powerful words have always been shadowed by renowned people. American President, John F Kennedy reintroduced this quote “A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” in 1963 about the first nuclear test ban agreement.

Examples in Literature

The journey of a thousand miles… by Ronnie James Corbin

“I’m pretty drunk right now , But my thoughts are clear enough to say, I believe in you. I believe in your dreams . I believe you can overcome your flaws. I believe you could write the masterpiece of our generation. You could cure cancer, bring world peace, and feed the hungry. You can show love. You can breathe your positive presence into the air. I want you to go forth and shine like the beautiful star that you are. Together we can demolish our egos. Start on the path to purity. They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, So hold my hand, and follow me, As I take mine.”

Ronnie James Corbin is an Ohio-based American poet wrote this poem for his sweetheart requesting her to join the poet to defeat every other thing, including cancer. The use of the first person and the second person to counter it balances the poem. The poem is a marriage proposal after the presentation of both figures. It gets clear in the third last line where the long journey is a long life, while the next line shows the invitation as “hold my hand”.

There Is No Easy Way (But There Is a Way) by Willie Nelson

Now that we’re back together the battle is half won We’ll try to save a part of yesterday I know it won’t be easy but at least we have begun There is no easy way but there is a way We both could use some understanding trust would help And the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step And is love not worth the price we’ll have to pay There is no easy way but there is a way We both could use some understanding trust would help And the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step And is love not worth the price we’ll have to pay There is no easy way but there is a way

Willie Nelson, a songwriter and poet, wrote this song to convey his colleague and beloved that they could start the relationship again as there is always a way even if nothing is easy. For this purpose, he has used this proverb as a repetition as well as a refrain in the last two lines of both stanzas .

Journey of a Thousand Miles My Story By Lang Lang and David Ritz

This is an autobiography of a Chinese pianist Lang Lang. He co-wrote the book with David Ritz to underline his hard struggle when moving from a western Chinese city to Beijing. It is not just the story of a pianist prodigy, but a family saga. The writer includes his whole family, who supported Lang Lang until his stardom. His father’s tireless struggle to make his song a star goes a long way. Therefore, the title of the biography shows the courage and sacrifice that a father has demonstrated to make his son a star.

Examples in Sentences as Literary Devices

Example #1: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and is finally covered after a time.” Here the proverb shows the journey that is covered only when a step is taken.

Example #2: “ He is an epitome of a journey of a thousand miles beings with a single step as he always takes a small step to do everything and completes it on time.” Here the proverb has been used as a metaphor as it shows the person as the model.

Example #3: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step is like a task that has many parts, and if a small part is done, it means the big task will be done too.” The proverb has been used as a simile as the use of “like” shows.

Example #4: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step forward or ends with a single step back.” This proverb also shows the use of a paradox a journey is of thousand miles, but it starts with a single step.

Example #5: “ A journey as long as a thousand mile begins with a single step” shows its use as a simile as it compares the longevity of a journey with a thousand miles. However, the proverb has been twisted a bit with the words “as long as”.

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a traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time; trip: a six-day journey across the desert.

a distance, course, or area traveled or suitable for traveling: a desert journey.

a period of travel: a week's journey.

passage or progress from one stage to another: the journey to success.

to make a journey; travel.

Origin of journey

Synonym study for journey, other words for journey, other words from journey.

• jour·ney·er, noun
• outjourney, verb (used with object), out·jour·neyed, out·jour·ney·ing.

Words Nearby journey

• journal intime
• journalistic
• journeywork

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use journey in a sentence

If either is selected, it would not launch until 2026 at the earliest, and would take at least a few months to make the journey .

The job is a cherry on top, but the journey and the experience of being able to audition and leave your heart in the room and feel good about it, no matter what happens, that’s rare and that was amazing.

Cross-device measurement helps connect the dots of your customer’s journey and ensures you know how effective your campaigns are at driving user behavior.

You are somewhat of a new grandmother and you’ve been enjoying that journey .

Instead of having numerous articles addressing each of these particular questions, brands and publishers could consolidate this information as it is all pertinent to the same stage of the journey that the user is in.

The brokers then scout out potential “crew members” who can earn substantial discounts for working the journey .

The next day, after driving to Putney on the outskirts of London, we start the end of our journey .

The NYPD Emerald Society pipes and drums struck up a slow march and the procession began the journey to the cemetery.

We began a journey with Koenig in the first episode of Serial.

But the sunlight is threatening to fade and a three-and-a-half-hour river journey back to Kisangani looms.

With a hammer the boy knocked off some of the slats of the small box in which Squinty had made his journey .

Then summoning a smart young jemadar with whom he had talked a good deal during the journey , he asked him to read the chit.

But dismissing them from our thoughts for the time being, as we did then from our presence, let us continue our journey .

If the journey is now distasteful to her, she has but her own rashness to blame in having sought it herself.

It was past sundown when they left San Bernardino, but a full moon made the night as good as day for their journey .

British Dictionary definitions for journey

/ ( ˈdʒɜːnɪ ) /

a travelling from one place to another; trip or voyage

the distance travelled in a journey

the time taken to make a journey

(intr) to make a journey

Derived forms of journey

• journeyer , noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Definition of journey

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of journey  (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

Did you know?

The Latin adjective diurnus means “pertaining to a day, daily”; English diurnal stems ultimately from this word. When Latin developed into French, diurnus became a noun, jour, meaning simply “day” The medieval French derivative journee meant either “day” or “something done during the day,” such as work or travel. Middle English borrowed journee as journey in both senses, but only the sense “a day’s travel” survived into modern usage. In modern English, journey now refers to a trip without regard to the amount of time it takes. The verb journey developed from the noun and is first attested in the 14th century.

• peregrination
• peregrinate

Examples of journey in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'journey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French jurnee day, day's journey, from jur day, from Late Latin diurnum , from Latin, neuter of diurnus — see journal entry 1

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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Dictionary Entries Near journey

journal voucher

journey-bated

Cite this Entry

“Journey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/journey. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of journey.

Kids Definition of journey  (Entry 2 of 2)

Middle English journey "a trip, travel," from early French journee "day's work, day's journey," from jour "day," derived from Latin diurnus "of a day, daily," from dies "day" — related to diary , journal

More from Merriam-Webster on journey

Nglish: Translation of journey for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of journey for Arabic Speakers

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Definition of journey noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• They went on a long train journey across India.
• to begin/continue/complete a journey
• Many refugees made the journey alone.
• Did you have a good journey?
• the outward/return journey
• We broke our journey (= stopped for a short time) in Madrid.
• (British English) Don't use the car for short journeys.
• It's a day's journey by car.
• The average journey time is about 50 minutes.
• on a journey She took her sister with her to keep her company on the journey.
• journey from… Devizes is a two-hour journey from London.
• journey to… It is unclear why he embarked on his final journey to Vienna.
• (British English) I'm afraid you've had a wasted journey (= you cannot do what you have come to do) .
• (informal) Bye! Safe journey! (= used when somebody is beginning a journey)
• a business trip
• a five-minute trip by taxi
• a long and difficult journey across the mountains
• a tour of Bavaria
• the first expedition to the South Pole
• We went on an all-day excursion to the island.
• The children were on a day’s outing from school.
• We had a day out at the beach.
• a(n) foreign/​overseas trip/​journey/​tour/​expedition
• a bus/​coach/​train/​rail trip/​journey/​tour
• to go on a(n) trip/​journey/​tour/​expedition/​excursion/​outing/​day out
• to set out/​off on a(n) trip/​journey/​tour/​expedition/​excursion
• to make a(n) trip/​journey/​tour/​expedition/​excursion
• destination
• measures to cut the number of car journeys into the city
• He is planning a journey through Europe this summer.
• People were crammed onto ships for the dangerous journey across the Atlantic.
• Dawn was breaking as we set out on the last leg of our journey.
• Few people have made this journey and lived to tell the tale.
• He made the emotional journey back to the house he grew up in.
• He wrote a column chronicling his journeys around the Americas.
• Her search took her on an incredible journey across the world.
• The bus driver told us where to change buses for our onward journey.
• The bus journey from London to Athens took 60 hours.
• The journey continued in silence.
• The journey takes about five hours.
• They continued their journey on foot.
• They doubted that he would survive the journey to the nearest hospital.
• They were on a journey to the Far East.
• This is the story of the first astronauts and their journey into the unknown.
• take (somebody)
• be tired after a journey
• be tired from a journey
• a leg of a journey

Join our community to access the latest language learning and assessment tips from Oxford University Press!

• I was excited by the character's journey in the film.
• journey (from something) (to something) The book describes a spiritual journey from despair to happiness.

Other results

• Long Day's Journey into Night

Nearby words

The Journey Summary & Analysis by Mary Oliver

• Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis
• Poetic Devices
• Vocabulary & References
• Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
• Line-by-Line Explanations

Mary Oliver's "The Journey" first appeared in her 1963 collection No Voyage and Other Poems . The poem is about the importance of taking charge of one's own life and leaving behind negative influences. Despite being one of Oliver's more personal poems, and including references to real events in Oliver's life, many readers will identity with its themes of self-reliance and integrity. This has helped to secure its place as one of the most popular poems from one of America's most popular poets.

• Read the full text of “The Journey”

The Full Text of “The Journey”

“the journey” summary, “the journey” themes.

The Importance of Self-Reliance

Line-by-line explanation & analysis of “the journey”.

One day you ... ... bad advice —

though the whole ... ... at your ankles.

Lines 10-13

"Mend my life!" ... ... had to do,

Lines 14-18

though the wind ... ... was terrible.

Lines 19-22

It was already ... ... branches and stones.

Lines 23-26

But little by ... ... sheets of clouds,

Lines 27-29

and there was ... ... as your own,

Lines 30-32

that kept you ... ... into the world,

Lines 33-36

determined to do ... ... you could save.

“The Journey” Symbols

• Lines 6-7: “though the whole house / began to tremble”
• Lines 14-16: “though the wind pried / with its stiff fingers / at the very foundations,”

• Lines 25-26: “the stars began to burn / through the sheets of clouds,”

“The Journey” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

• Lines 3-4: “though the voices around you / kept shouting”
• Lines 14-15: “though the wind pried / with its stiff fingers”
• Lines 17-18: “though their melancholy / was terrible.”
• Line 33: “determined to do”
• Line 35: “determined to save”

Extended Metaphor

• Lines 19-26: “It was already late / enough, and a wild night, / and the road full of fallen / branches and stones. / But little by little, / as you left their voice behind, / the stars began to burn / through the sheets of clouds,”
• Lines 31-32: “as you strode deeper and deeper / into the world,”

Personification

• Lines 1-2: “knew / what”
• Lines 3-4: “you / kept”
• Lines 4-5: “shouting / their”
• Lines 6-7: “house / began”
• Lines 7-8: “tremble / and”
• Lines 8-9: “tug / at”
• Lines 14-15: “pried / with”
• Lines 15-16: “fingers / at”
• Lines 17-18: “melancholy / was”
• Lines 19-20: “late / enough”
• Lines 21-22: “fallen / branches”
• Lines 25-26: “burn / through”
• Lines 27-28: “voice / which”
• Lines 28-29: “slowly / recognized”
• Lines 30-31: “company / as”
• Lines 31-32: “deeper / into”
• Lines 33-34: “do / the”
• Lines 35-36: “save / the”
• Lines 1-2: “you finally knew / what you had to do”
• Line 13: “You knew what you had to do”
• Line 23: “little by little”
• Line 31: “deeper and deeper”
• Lines 35-36: “to save / the only life that you could save.”
• Line 1: “One,” “finally,” “knew”
• Line 6: “whole,” “house”
• Line 7: “to,” “tremble”
• Line 8: “felt,” “tug”
• Line 9: “at”
• Line 15: “stiff,” “fingers”
• Line 16: “foundations”
• Line 17: “melancholy”
• Line 18: “terrible”
• Line 19: “already,” “late”
• Line 20: “wild”
• Line 21: “full,” “fallen”
• Line 22: “stones”
• Line 23: “little,” “little”
• Line 24: “behind”
• Line 25: “began,” “burn”
• Line 30: “kept,” “company”
• Line 31: “deeper,” “deeper”
• Line 33: “determined,” “do”
• Line 34: “do”
• Line 35: “determined”

Alliteration

• Line 15: “fingers”
• Line 22: “branches”
• Line 23: “But”
• Line 1: “knew”
• Line 2: “you,” “do”
• Line 3: “you”
• Line 10: “life”
• Line 11: “cried”
• Line 13: “knew,” “you,” “do”
• Line 14: “wind”
• Line 15: “with,” “its,” “stiff,” “fingers”
• Line 20: “wild,” “night”
• Line 28: “slowly”
• Line 29: “own”
• Line 31: “strode”

“The Journey” Vocabulary

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

• (Location in poem: Lines 10-11: “"Mend my life!" / each voice cried.”)

Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “The Journey”

Rhyme scheme, “the journey” speaker, “the journey” setting, literary and historical context of “the journey”, more “the journey” resources, external resources.

The Poem Out Loud — Listen to a recording of Oliver reading "The Journey."

Oliver's Life and Work — Learn more about Oliver in this biography from the Poetry Foundation.

The Summer Day — Another of Oliver's best known poems, which similarly touches on the theme of taking charge of one's own life and happiness.

Mary Oliver and Amazement — An article by Rachel Syme about Oliver's legacy for the New Yorker.

Oliver's Obituary — Read Oliver's 2019 obituary in The Washington Post.

LitCharts on Other Poems by Mary Oliver

Good-Bye Fox

The Black Walnut Tree

The Summer Day

Everything you need for every book you read.

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Has Just Began or Has Just Begun: Past Tense vs. Past Participle

By: Author Susan Parker

Posted on Published: September 7, 2021

Choosing the correct phrase can be tricky, especially when words are very similar or expressed in different forms. The terms “began” and “begun” are two such words that can be challenging to master, especially when deciding whether you should say “has just begun” or “has just began.”

The correct phrase is “has just begun.” When using the helping verb “has,” a past participle must follow it to create the present perfect tense. This conveys that something has started but has not ended. “Began” is the simple past tense, which we use to describe an action that has started and finished. In contrast, we do not use “began” with a helping verb. 

This article will explore past participles such as “begun” and past tense verb forms such as “began.” We’ll also consider the differences between “began” and “begun” and how to correctly use each word in a sentence.

Meaning of Begin

Before we get into a discussion of “began” or “begun,” we should consider the root word of both, which is “begin.” 

“Begin” means to go into or start an action or process ( source ). Therefore, one must have a starting point to “begin.” “Begin” can also mean that something has arisen. Maybe a problem of some sort has come into existence. Consider the sentences below, which illustrate the word’s meaning. 

• The class will begin at 1:00. 
• The school year will begin on September 1st.
• Let the games begin!
• Dinner begins at 8 p.m. sharp.
• The issues begin when he doesn’t communicate with me. 

Began vs. Begun

“Began” and “begun” are both past tenses that we form from the verb “begin.” Both words mean an action has commenced, but what’s the difference between the two? 

“Began” is the simple past tense of “begin” and means something has started and finished. 

“Begun” is the past participle form of “begin,” and we use it in the perfect tenses together with the helping verb “have.” If something “has begun,” it has already started but not has yet to finish. 

Another example of past tense vs. past participle is eaten or ate. Click here for more information on this .

Simple Past Tense

The simple past tense is a way to describe something that happened in the past, before now. The word “began” is an example of a simple past tense verb. Consider the sentences below, which illustrate the use of “began” in describing a completed action.

• World War II began in 1939 and ended in 1945.
• Our test began at 11 a.m.
• The snow began to fall this morning; the roads are now white.
• Cars began to pile into the drive-in at 7 p.m.

The past tense of any verb will either be regular or irregular. For most verbs, you add either -d or -ed to present tense verbs. Below are a few simple past tense verbs:

• Push → Pushed
• Walk → Walked
• Grab → Grabbed
• Talk →Talked

Irregular past tense verbs do not follow any rules, so you must commit them to memory.  “Began” is an example of such an irregular past tense verb. Here are a few more examples of common irregular past tense forms: 

• Eat → Ate
• Fall → Fell
• Drink → Drank
• Forget → Forgot
• Drive → Drove

Past Participles

You will use the past participle in the perfect tenses to refer to completed actions. To create these tenses, we use a past participle together with a helping verb. We can also use them to form the passive voice, and they can sometimes function as adjectives ( source ). 

“Begun” is an example of a past participle verb. In order to use a past participle correctly in a sentence, a helping verb must accompany it. 

Here are some situations demonstrating how we could use “begun” in a sentence.

• She has begun writing her doctoral thesis.
• He has begun his medical training.
• Now that winter is upon us, the holidays have begun.
• The flowers have begun to bloom.

Regular past participles end with -ed, but there are many irregular ones too, such as “begun.” 

Some common irregular past participles would include: 

• Be → Been
• Choose → Chosen 
• Come → Come
• Drink → Drunk
• Fall → Fallen
• Forget → Forgotten

Past participles do not function on their own but often pair with a helping verb such as “to have” or “to be.” As we previously mentioned, “begun” is an example of a past participle that pairs with “to have” — for instance, when trying to say something “has just begun.” 

When Do We Say “Has Just Begun?” 

You might also ask what the meaning of “has just begun” is. It simply means that something has recently started, and it hasn’t finished yet. A similar phrase would be “has already begun.” If we say, “it has already begun,” then we mean something that has started before now.

When we use the construction “has begun,” we are using the present perfect tense. English has three simple tenses (present, past, and future) and three perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect). Let’s consider the verb “to begin” in each of these tenses.

As you can see, we use “begun” in all the perfect tenses together with various forms of the helping verb “to have.” Past participles can only stand on their own when they act as adjectives; as a verb, they need a helping verb.

Meaning of “Just” in “Has Just Begun”

The word “just” is an adverb that commonly expresses time. It can mean now, recently, or soon. When we use “just” in the phrase “has just begun,” we mean “has recently begun,” as in the sentences below.

• At nine months old, Jack has just begun to crawl.
• Sarah has just begun to understand a bit of French.
• Oh no, it has just begun to rain! 
• Summer vacation is officially over; school has just begun . 

In other contexts, the term “just” can also add emphasis to a statement or describe something that’s the same ( source ).

• You look just like your dad. 
• I just can’t believe it. 
• That’s just great; my car battery died on the highway. 

All these examples using “has just begun” are in the present perfect tense. You will notice that using the helping verb “to have” means that we will use the present participle “begun” with it. 

Doing so will help if you are wondering if it would be correct to say, “has officially began” or “has officially begun.” Similarly, what about “holidays have began” or “holidays have begun”? 

In both these cases, we would use “begun” because both contain the helping verb “to have.” “Began” is a simple past tense verb and does not need a helping verb. We would therefore say:

• They will sing the national anthem to show the event has officially begun . 
• I feel the holidays have begun when I smell roasting chestnuts.

Helping Verbs

Let’s explore the role of helping verbs a little further. Their role is to help the main verb in a sentence by extending its meaning and adding detail. Helping verbs are necessary to complete the structure of a sentence, and we can also use them to express time in a sentence ( source ).

There are two types of helping verbs: auxiliary and modal verbs. 

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs accompany the main verb to show verb tense or add emphasis. One of the most common functions of the auxiliary verb is to establish the action in a sentence to a certain point in time. 

The most common auxiliary verbs are “to have,” “to be,” and “to do,” but there are many others. Auxiliary verbs can stand alone, but they give more information about time or mood when they appear with the main verb. For example: 

• I have begun to like him. 
• He was winning the race before he tripped.
• She has eaten so many donuts!

In these examples, the auxiliary verbs go together with the main verb to create “have begun,” “was winning,” and “has eaten.” They all provide further information about time.

Modal Verbs

Helping verbs that further modify the action or meaning of the main verb in a sentence to show obligation, possibility, or necessity are modal verbs. These verbs do not change form and include the following:

• Can: I can ride my bike with no hands.
• Could: I could come to see you today. 
• Might: I might see the doctor today.
• Will: I will fly home early from my trip. 
• Should: You should see a doctor if you feel ill.
• Must: I must see you right away. 
• May: May I buy you a coffee this morning? 
• Shall: I shall ride my bike to work today. 
• Would: I would love to see you tomorrow. 

Using “Begin” in Other Tenses

A verb tense indicates when the action takes place. Most verbs have a past, present, or future tense, meaning verbs can change form. You can change the form by simply adding a different ending or changing the spelling ( source ).

We know that the past tense describes something that has already happened. What about the present and future tense? 

Present Tense 

Simple present tense verbs are action words that express what is happening currently or something that occurs regularly in the present time. Here are some examples of “begin,” where it operates in the present tense.

• The sky begins to darken as night falls. 
• My patience begins to run thin as my kids continue not to listen. 
• You might begin to wonder what is going on. 
• The teacher begins her lesson today. 

Future Tense 

Simple future tense verbs describe things that are yet to happen, that will begin and end in the future ( source ). Here are some examples of “begin” in the future tense.

• The online class will begin on Tuesday.
• He will begin violin lessons next month.
• You will begin to understand if you do your homework.

“Begin” in Different Participle Forms

As there are different verb forms of “begin,” there are also different participle forms. 

Present Participle

A present participle is a verb ending with -ing that forms continuous tenses or functions as an adjective. Present participles typically convey current action. The verb “begin” becomes “beginning” when using the present participle form. Consider the examples below.

• The beginning of the school year is fast approaching. 
• She is beginning her college applications as the deadline fast approaches. 

In the first sentence, the participle functions as an adjective to describe the time in the school year. Sentence number two describes an ongoing action — she is in the process of starting her applications. This article was written for strategiesforparents.com. 

Perfect Participle

Another less common form of the participle is the present participle, which we form by combining the word “having” with the past participle. Perfect participles determine that an action was completed before the action in the sentence’s main clause ( source ), as in the examples below.

• Having begun the test early, she sat quietly, waiting for her classmates to finish. 
• She graduated early, having already begun her postgraduate studies.

Final Thoughts  

It’s essential to know the difference between past tenses and past participles so that we can use them correctly in both spoken and written English. Mastering when to use “begun” vs. “began” will help to clarify this further.

“Begun,” as a past participle, requires assistance from a helping verb. “Began,” as a simple past tense, stands alone to describe something that started in the past.

With some practice, you’ll be able to effortlessly use both “began” and “begun” in fluent English, and you will know that the correct phrase to choose is “has just begun” because the helping verb always accompanies the past participle.

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Meaning of began in English

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• be in the first flush of idiom
• be/get in on the ground floor idiom
• half-cocked
• here goes! idiom
• hit the ground running idiom
• start (something) off
• start on something
• start/set/get the ball rolling idiom
• the ground floor

Examples of began

Translations of began.

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Word of the Day

something dangerous or serious, such as an accident, that happens suddenly or unexpectedly and needs fast action in order to avoid harmful results

Paying attention and listening intently: talking about concentration

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Definition of 'journey'

Video: pronunciation of journey

journey in American English

Journey in british english, examples of 'journey' in a sentence journey, related word partners journey, trends of journey.

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journey (n.)

c. 1200, "a defined course of traveling; one's path in life," from Old French journée "a day's length; day's work or travel" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin * diurnum "day," noun use of neuter of Latin diurnus "of one day" (from dies "day," from PIE root *dyeu- "to shine"). The French fem, suffix -ée , from Latin -ata , was joined to nouns in French to make nouns expressing the quantity contained in the original noun, and thus also relations of times ( soirée , matinée , année ) or objects produced.

Meaning "act of traveling by land or sea" is c. 1300. In Middle English it also meant "a day" (c. 1400); a day's work (mid-14c.); "distance traveled in one day" (mid-13c.), and as recently as Johnson (1755) the primary sense was still "the travel of a day." From the Vulgar Latin word also come Spanish jornada , Italian giornata .

journey (v.)

mid-14c., "travel from one place to another," from Anglo-French journeyer , Old French journoiier "work by day; go, walk, travel," from journée "a day's work or travel" (see journey (n.)). Related: Journeyed ; journeying .

Entries linking to journey

1570s, French, literally "good day," from bon "good," from Latin bonus "good" (see bonus ) + jour "day" (see journey (n.)).

from French plat du jour "dish of the day," which appeared from early 20c. on restaurant menus; abstracted as an all-purpose modifier by 1989. For jour "day" see journey (n.).

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This Journey classic was just named 'the biggest song of all time'

Journey ’s massive anthem "Don’t Stop Believin'” has officially gone 18x times platinum, and was named the top biggest song of all time.

Listen to Journey Radio and more on the free Audacy app

As of January 2024, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) quietly certified Journey ’s 1981 single “Don’t Stop Believin’” as 18 times platinum . This means the song has sold a certified equivalent of 18 million units, via both physical copies and digital streaming, across its 42 year history. And, mind you, this is a United States ranking - meaning that the worldwide sales are even greater. Thus, Forbes Magazine has officially given "Don’t Stop Believin’” the title of the Biggest Song Of All Time.

This 18x platinum certification, which is now tied with Post Malone ’s “Sunflower,” was the first time the RIAA had promoted “Don’t Stop Believin’” since 2013. And the single wasn’t even Journey’s most popular song at the time of its release. Other hits like “Open Arms” and “Who’s Crying Now” outranked the song on Billboard charts . Regardless, “Don’t Stop Believin’” has become an anthem for both Journey and the entire world.

“We didn’t know it yet, but we had just written an anthem that would stand the test of time,” Journey's Jonathan Cain recalled in his autobiography , aptly named after the single. As a keyboard player and songwriter, Cain joined Journey in 1980 after his original group, The Babys , disbanded. He and singer Steve Perry were looking for inspiration, and turned to his old notebook. “On the last page of my notebook, I found three words scribbled: 'Don’t stop believin'" Cain wrote. “I knew Steve would like the title – the words my father had given me on a long-distance phone call one night.” Soon, the bandmates went from writing about two characters running away from home to writing about themselves, and how they were, “sacrificing it all to gamble on a dream.”

Lead singer and co-writer Perry recalls that songwriting session as a “rabid” attempt to give fans the rock-and-roll music they loved. But at the song’s National Recording Registry induction , even he couldn’t deny the anthem’s unrelenting power. “Every one of the songs that we ever recorded were treated like they were special,” he said in the interview. “But that song, over the years, has become something that has a life of its own. It’s about the people who’ve embraced it and found the lyrics to be something they can relate to and hold on to and sing.”

Congratulations to Journey! May your song play on, and on, and on, and on ….

To hear “Don’t Stop Believin’' and other hits from the band, check out Journey Radio anytime and anywhere on the free Audacy app.

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What is Palm Sunday and how is it celebrated worldwide?

FILE - Nuns wait for the start of the Palm Sunday’s mass celebrate by pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican Sunday, April 2, 2023. Palm Sunday will be celebrated by Christians worldwide Sunday, March 24, 2024. It commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when palm branches were strewn before him. It marks the start of Holy Week. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

FILE - Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, center, walks in a procession during the Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday, April 2, 2023. TPalm Sunday will be celebrated by Christians worldwide Sunday, March 24, 2024. It commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when palm branches were strewn before him. It marks the start of Holy Week. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

FILE - Christian faithful march carrying green Palm branches to commemorate Palm Sunday, which marks the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, in the streets of Nairobi, Kenya, Sunday, April 2, 2023. Palm Sunday will be celebrated by Christians worldwide Sunday, March 24, 2024. It commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when palm branches were strewn before him. It marks the start of Holy Week. (AP Photo, File)

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Palm Sunday commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when he was greeted by cheering crowds waving palm branches that they set out on the ground along his path, according to the Bible.

This year, Palm Sunday falls on March 24. Also known as Passion Sunday, it marks the start of Holy Week. The most sacred week of the Christian year includes the Good Friday re-enactment of Jesus’ crucifixion story and death, and their belief in his resurrection on Easter.

Here is a quick look at Palm Sunday’s significance.

IS THERE A DONKEY IN THIS STORY?

The procession of Jesus into Jerusalem is described by the four Gospel writers in the Bible.

The Gospels differ, but based on one expert they agree on this: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey — or a colt. So, which one is it?

Colt is defined as “a young male horse that is usually not castrated.” But in the Bible, the word meaning “colt” is used almost exclusively for young donkeys, not horses, writes Joanne M. Pierce , professor emerita of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross.

Pierce writes that this brings to mind a reference from the Book of Zechariah in Jewish scriptures, where the prophet describes a victorious king who enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

In Judaism, she says, the passage from Zechariah refers to the Messiah , a spiritual king who would peacefully redeem Israel, and the donkey is interpreted as a sign of humility .

“In Christianity, this animal becomes almost a symbol of Christ himself, given how it patiently suffers and bears others’ burdens,” Pierce writes in a piece published by The Conversation . “Horses, on the other hand, tend to be associated with royalty, power and war.”

WHAT ABOUT THE PALMS?

In the biblical Palm Sunday story, a cheering crowd greeted Jesus along the road. Some spread their garments on the ground; others threw down leafy branches they had cut from the fields. In the Gospel of John, they are branches from palms, a tree that symbolized victory and triumph.

In the Gospel of Matthew, people began to shout: “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” The word “Hosanna” was a plea for salvation and an exclamation of adoration.

After the procession, the Bible says Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple.

HOW IS PALM SUNDAY CELEBRATED?

The ritual or liturgy typically starts with a blessing of the palms by clergy. It’s followed by a reading of the Passion of Christ, meaning an account of the final events of Jesus’ life.

Some ceremonies in German-speaking countries used to include a figure of Jesus riding a donkey, Encyclopedia Britannica says . The figure is called a “ Palmesel ,” or German for “palm donkey,” according to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, which on its site recounts how worshippers would lay palms on the ground before the Palmesel during lively processions.

Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land mark Palm Sunday by holding Masses and processions retracing Jesus’ triumphal entry. Worshippers carry palm fronds and olive branches and march from the top of the neighboring Mount of Olives to Jerusalem’s historic Old City, home to holy sites of the three Abrahamic monotheistic faiths.

In churches around the world, the palms are often taken home by congregants, and some will become ashes.

HOW DO THE PALMS TURN INTO ASHES?

Ashes can be purchased, but some churches make their own by burning the palms from prior years.

They’re used to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday , the solemn day of fasting and reflection that signals the start of Christianity’s most penitent season.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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Trump can pay smaller bond in civil fraud case as judge sets April date for hush money trial

By Lauren del Valle , Jeremy Herb , Kara Scannell , Maureen Chowdhury , Dan Berman and Elise Hammond , CNN

Key takeaways from Trump’s wild day of legal developments

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Donald Trump received both a lifeline from the courts Monday and a trial date for the first criminal trial of a former president in US history, a  pair of rulings  that hit home the legal whiplash constantly surrounding him.

The twin rulings Monday, which came roughly within an hour of each other, hit the intersection of challenges to Trump’s image and his famed business empire as he seeks a second term in the White House.

Here are key takeaways from another historic day for Trump:

• Hush money trial date set: Trump’s historic criminal trial in the New York hush money case against him will begin with jury selection on April 15, Judge Juan Merchan said Monday, after a dispute over the late production of documents caused the judge initially to  push back the start date . Barring another unforeseen hiccup, the former president will face a jury on criminal charges for at least one of his trials before the November election. The date is three weeks later than originally scheduled, but the delay won’t make much of a dent on Trump’s 2024 calendar – and it’s still murky whether any of his other three trials will happen before the election.
• Appeals court lowers Trump’s bond: The more significant ruling Monday may have been a New York appeals court allowing him to post a  reduced $175 million bond  to appeal the $464 million civil fraud judgment against him, his adult sons and his company. Trump told reporters he will cover the bond using cash as a collateral. Trump’s lawyers said last week that he was  unable to post  a $464 million bond to appeal the civil fraud judgement against him. Trump faced a Monday deadline to post bond or else New York Attorney General Letitia James could have begun the process of seizing his property. But the appeals court ruling gave Trump an additional 10 days to post a bond of $175 million.
• Judge dismisses allegations made against district attorney: During Monday’s hearing, Merchan also discredited Trump’s allegations of misconduct against the district attorney’s office, finding that prosecutors cooperated in the effort to secure documents from the US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York. "It’s odd that we’re even here," the judge said at one point. The judge repeatedly also said how serious and concerning Trump’s allegations were against Manhattan prosecutors, at one point raising his voice on the bench.

Read more about today's legal developments in the two cases.

Fact Check: Trump repeats baseless claims about Biden orchestrating his trials

From CNN’s Daniel Dale

Former President Donald Trump repeated some familiar baseless claims in remarks on Monday after major developments in two of his New York legal cases. He spoke after a judge  set an April 15 date  for the beginning of his Manhattan, New York, criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records related to a hush money scheme, and, separately, an appeals court  reduced the bond he must put up  after being found liable for civil fraud.

Trump claimed that “this is all Biden-run things” and that “these are all Biden trials.” He also claimed that Matthew Colangelo, a former senior Justice Department official who now works for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, had been “put into” the district attorney’s office by Biden. 

Facts First:   There is no basis for Trump’s claims. First, there is no evidence that Biden has been involved in bringing or running any of the criminal or civil cases against Trump. The Manhattan prosecution is being led by Bragg and the civil fraud case by New York state Attorney General Letitia James. Both Bragg and James are elected officials who do not report to the president or the federal Justice Department. Second, there is no evidence that Biden had anything to do with Colangelo’s  decision to leave the federal Justice Department and join the district attorney’s office in 2022  as  senior counsel to Bragg . Colangelo and Bragg knew each other before Bragg was elected Manhattan district attorney.

Read more about the fact check.

A look at Trump’s busy legal and election calendar

From CNN's Devan Cole and Amy O'Kruk

Donald Trump is juggling a busy court and campaign schedule as he defends himself in  several criminal cases  while also vying for a second term in the White House.

The former president’s criminal hush money trial is  expected to start on April 15 . He faces charges stemming from his alleged falsification of business records with the intent to conceal illegal conduct connected to his 2016 presidential campaign.

The trial start date in Trump’s  classified documents  case in Florida had been set for late May, but the judge overseeing that case revisited the timing of the trial during a key hearing on March 1. Judge Aileen Cannon has not yet set a new date for the trial.

Here's what the former president's colliding calendar looks like:

Here are where things stand in Trump's civil fraud case and criminal hush money trial

From CNN's staff

Former President Donald Trump had a big legal day on Monday where some major movements happened in the civil fraud and hush money cases against him.

Here's what to know about each case:

Hush money case : Trump  is charged with  34 counts of falsifying business records , stemming from reimbursements made to Trump’s former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen for hush money payments he made before the 2016 election to cover up an alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The former president has pleaded not guilty and denied the affair.

During a hearing in New York on Monday, which Trump attended, Judge Juan Merchan said the criminal trial against the former president will begin on April 15 with jury selection. The judge dismissed the Trump’s motion to toss out the indictment altogether or delay the trial further.

Civil fraud case : A New York appeals court ruled Trump must pay a $175 million bond as he appeals the civil fraud judgment against him. He also was given 10 additional days to post the bond.

It’s a major lifeline for the former president, who, along with his adult sons and his company, were fined more than $464 million, which was due today, after Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump and his co-defendants fraudulently inflated the value of his assets.

The ruling staves off the prospect, for now, of New York Attorney General Letitia James seeking to seize the former president’s property to enforce the judgment against him.

Trump attorney says appellate ruling on civil fraud bond is a "great first step" towards reversal of judgment 

From CNN’s Kara Scannell

Donald Trump’s attorney Christopher Kise in a statement said the appellate ruling on the civil fraud bond is a "great first step towards reversal of “baseless and reckless judgment.”

Kise also said Trump looks forward to a "full and fair appellate process" that ends the New York Attorney General’s "abuse of power and tyrannical pursuit" of the Republican presidential candidate.

More on the ruling: A New York appeals court Monday said Trump has to post $175 million in 10 days in order for his appeal of Judge Arthur Engoron’s ruling to go forward — giving the former president a lifeline as he faced possible seizure of his prized real estate properties.

New York appellate court's ruling to reduce Trump’s bond is "highly unusual," legal expert says

From CNN’s Allison Morrow

Donald Trump scored a roughly 60% discount on the amount of cash he’ll need to pony up to avoid having his assets seized by the state of New York — an outcome that one legal expert said was “highly unusual.” 

A New York appellate court reduced Trump’s bond to $175 million from $464 million, and granted him 10 days to come up with the payment.

“It’s highly unusual that it would be reduced at all,” said Mitchell Epner, a former federal prosecutor in New York. “And it’s highly unusual that it would be reduced by this amount.”

But, Epner said it’s not unprecedented, citing the 1980s fight between Texaco and Pennzoil, in which a court reduced Texaco’s bond from more than $10 billion to $1 billion. Texaco ended up filing for bankruptcy in 1987.

Trump, his adult sons and his company were fined more than $464 million, including interest, in the New York civil trial, after Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump and his co-defendants fraudulently inflated the value of his assets.

Correction:  This post has been updated with the correct dollar amount of Trump's earlier bond.

Trump says he would have "no problem" testifying in New York hush money trial

From CNN's Ali Main

Former President Donald Trump said Monday that he would have "no problem" testifying in his criminal hush money trial that is now scheduled to begin next month.

"I would have no problem testifying. I didn't do anything wrong," Trump told reporters after attending a hearing in that trial in New York.

Trump’s New York criminal trial will begin on April 15 with jury selection, Judge Juan Merchan said Monday, after dismissing the former president’s motion to toss out the indictment altogether or delay the trial further.

Despite the set date, Trump cast doubt on whether the trial would take place, saying, "I don't know that you're gonna have the trial. I don't know how you can have a trial like this in the middle of an election, a presidential election."

Asked if he was concerned that a conviction in that trial could cost him the election in November, Trump answered, "Well, it could also make me more popular because the people know it's a scam. It's a Biden trial."

Trump on civil fraud bond: "I have a lot of cash"

From CNN's Ali Main and Kate Sullivan

Former President Donald Trump touted that he has "a lot of cash" when asked about the timeline of securing the $175 million bond in the civil fraud case against him.

He went on to say how he would also like to use his cash funds for his reelection bid and claimed, but "they don't want me to use my cash to get reelected."

Asked if he planned to start personal funds into his presidential campaign, Trump responded, "First of all, it's none of your business," before adding, "I might do that. I have the option."

The former president also said he thought it would be possible to borrow money from a foreign government to post a bond in an American trial, but that he wouldn't need to. Pressed by CNN's Kate Sullivan if he would ever accept money from a foreign government to pay, Trump responded, "I don't do that. I mean, I think you'd be allowed to, possibly," remarking that many of the "biggest banks" are outside of the US.

This post has been updated with additional comments from Trump.

Trump claims hush money trial is being rushed as it is set to begin next month

Former President Donald Trump claimed that the hush money trial against him in New York is being rushed and called it "election interference."

“You have a case which … they’re dying to get this thing started. The judge cannot go faster. He wants to get it started so badly," Trump said.

If the trial goes ahead on April 15, it could be the only of Trump’s criminal trials to take place before the November general election. The trial will have begun a year after the charges were filed.

Trump also argued there should not be a trial during the election and attacked his opponent, President Joe Biden.

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For these Haitians, journey to the U.S. began with bus ride through violence, gang turf

When Roselore Touze heard that there was a commercial flight out of Haiti — the first in three weeks since deadly gang violence broke out in the capital of Port-au-Prince and targeted the country’s main airport — she had a decision to make.

Her sister, Jeanine, had already spent a month stuck in Haiti after being approved to come to the United States under a two-year humanitarian parole program, but time was quickly running out. With only two months left to make it out, and the capital under attack, the Touze sisters decided to take a risk.

On Monday, Jeanine arrived in Miami, one of 155 people who flew on the first of two Sunrise Airways flights out of Haiti’s Hugo Chavez International Airport in Cap-Haïtien, several hours north of Port-au-Prince.

To make the flight, however, Jeanine, 30, who had not seen her sister in 15 years, had to board several public buses and travel through the violence, not just in Port-au-Prince but in gang-controlled communities outside the capital. She finally arrived in Cap-Haïtien on Sunday, three days after she left home in L’Asile in the Nippes region in the south.

“It wasn’t a route that she was accustomed to making,” Roselore Touze said, waiting in the arrival lounge at Miami International Airport for her sister, grateful that Jeanine made it out alive.

For some people who have been trapped in Haiti, getting out has been a mere helicopter ride. But for others the journey to safety has been much more harrowing. On Monday, two full planeloads arrived in Miami with passengers who hours before had no other choice but to get on a bus and pray.

“It was a difficult journey to travel with all the stress,” said Carline Allen, who said she and her husband had an important meeting in the U.S. that left them with no other choice but to travel by road through Haiti. “It’s a very big risk if you go by public buses, but there is no other way.”

Originally from Petit-Goave, Allen and her husband are the owner of a hotel in the rural town two hours south of Port-au-Prince. They’ve been stranded in the capital since December, when gang-violence blocked their return home. Now she doesn’t know when she will be able to return to Haiti, much less Petit-Goave.

Initially, things had been calm in her Pétion-Ville neighborhood, Allen said, with family coming to seek refuge from the heavy gunfire. Then last week, the bandits invaded the wealthy enclave of the capital.

“Wherever you are, you’re not safe,” she said.

Allen who is retired from a United Nations post and worked in the Democratic Republic of the Congo specializing in children and armed conflict, said this is the first time Haitians are living a situation this bad. They need “urgent help,” she said. A multinational force led by Kenya is supposed to go to Haiti at some point to help police battle gangs, but there has been no movement so far.

“We have seen violence in the past, but it’s the first time we got to that point and we feel like the international community is making fun of us,” Allen said. “One week they say the force is coming, the next week it’s not coming anymore. We think that American authorities could solve that problem in a couple of days. That is the feeling we have; we are left aside and we are left behind.”

Allen said Haitians at home don’t know when or where the gangs will strike next.

“Something should be done and we don’t see other solutions” she said.

Roldege Arius, a youth soccer coach who formerly played pro, said it felt “really good to be here,” after having left Port-au-Prince by bus to catch the flight.

“I hope the government will be able to do something quickly,” said Arius, who lives in Canada. “We really want to have a better situation for the young kids, and give them a chance to dream, because a lot of kids want to go back to school and they can’t go to school.... It’s tough.”

While he would have liked to stay in Haiti, Arius said, the situation didn’t allow it, especially since there were gang attacks near the hotel where he was staying.

“I was kind of scared for the people outside,” he said. “I see the people in Haiti, they’re strong, they are really trying to live with this situation. I’m really proud of my people.”

On Monday, Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department said the U.S. government has facilitated the departure of over 340 U.S. citizens out of Haiti since March 17, including about 250 U.S. citizens who departed Port-au-Prince and 100 who departed through Cap-Haïtien.

There were three helicopter flights on Monday and four planned for Tuesday.

“We continue to explore other alternatives to evacuate American citizens from Haiti,” Miller said.

For now, the only way out for non-U.S. citizens is Haitian-owned Sunrise Airways, which will also operate flights on Wednesday and Friday this week.

Samuel Paulemon, who spent hours waiting for family in the international arrival lounge at MIA, said he doesn’t understand what is happening in his homeland. But he’s glad, he said, that his wife, mother and 17-year-old daughter will no longer need to deal with it. They are starting life anew in the U.S. after also arriving as part of the Biden administration’s humanitarian parole program, which has brought 151,000 Haitian nationals to the U.S. since the program’s launch in January 2023.

Paulemon said he was left Haiti after armed gangs forced him to abandoned his business in the capital and seek refuge in the Dominican Republic. In November, he came to the U.S.

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