Is "Began" a word in past-tense?

I could just google it, but I want opinion, cause I feel it depends on how it's used in the sentence.

Yes. Present tense would be "it begins" while past tense would be "it began"

Ew, I guess I had to ask y'all cause I couldn't face the truth. I really don't like that for some reason

Thank you

Well the word began should be used sparingly in your book anyway. He began to shiver could be replaced with just he shivered. Began is a passive kind of word. Omit it as much as possible

Alrighty thank ya @writelikeyourerunningoutoftime