Final answer:
The past tense is used to tell when something began or ended in English.
Step-by-step explanation:
In English, the tense that is used to tell when something began or ended is the past tense. The past tense is used to describe actions, events, or states that have already occurred and are no longer happening. It is typically formed by adding '-ed' to the base form of regular verbs or using irregular verb forms.
For example, 'I started reading the book yesterday' and 'The concert ended at midnight.'
It is important to use consistent verb tense throughout a piece of writing to avoid confusion.