These words are all used to talk about things happening from the beginning, or people doing the first part of sth. 以上各词均用以指事情开始发生或开始做某事。

• start to begin to happen or exist; to begin in a particular way or from a particular point 指开始发生或存在、以…开始、以…为起点：◆When does the class start? 什么时候上课？
• begin to start to happen or exist; to start in a particular way or from a particular point; to start speaking 指开始发生或存在、以…开始、以…为起点、开始讲话：◆When does the concert begin? 音乐会什么时候开始？

start or begin? 用 start 还是 begin？

There is not much difference in meaning between these words. Start is more frequent in spoken English and in business contexts; begin is more frequent in written English and is often used when you are describing a series of events. 上述两词在意义上无多大差别，start 较常用于口语和商业语境中，begin 较常用于书面语中，描述一系列事情：◆The story begins on the island of Corfu. 故事从科孚岛开始。 Start is not used to mean 'begin speaking'. * start 不用以指开始讲话：◆'Ladies and gentlemen,' he started.

• start off (rather informal) to start happening or doing sth; to start by doing or being sth 指进行或开展起来、首先进行、一开始是：◆The discussion started off mildly enough. 讨论颇为温和地开展起来。
• kick off (informal) to start an event or activity, especially in a particular way; (of an event, activity, etc.) to start, especially in a particular way 尤指以…开始（活动）、（活动）以…开始：◆Tom will kick off with a few comments. 汤姆讲话时要先发表几点意见。◆The festival kicks off on Monday, September 13. 节期从 9 月 13 日星期一开始。
• commence (formal) to start happening 指开始发生：◆The meeting is scheduled to commence at noon. 会议定于午间召开。
• open to start an event or activity in a particular way; (of an event, a film/movie or a book) to start, especially in a particular way 指以…开始（活动）、（活动、电影或书）以…开头/开篇：◆The story opens with a murder. 故事以一宗谋杀案作序幕。

Patterns

• to start/begin/start off/kick off/commence/open with sth
• to start/begin/start off/kick off/commence/open by doing sth
• to start/begin/start off/commence as sth
• a campaign/season/meeting starts/begins/starts off/kicks off/commences/opens
• a film/movie/book starts/begins/starts off/opens