This week on Ask a Teacher we answer a question from Yiğitcan.
Question:
Yiğitcan asks if it is correct to begin a sentence with conjunctions such as and, but and or. Their grammar book, this person adds, says no.
Answer:
It is completely acceptable to begin a sentence with the words and, but, and or. Conjunction words like these join together sentences, clauses, or phrases.
Sometimes starting a sentence with a conjunction makes your writing sound better. It can keep your thoughts clearly separate. And it can add importance to a thought, like in this example:
Stella is my sister and my best friend. But she makes a great business partner, too!
Other times, it might be better to use a different word, such as, however. The word “however” sounds a bit more formal and serious than “but.” The right word choice depends on the kind of writing you are doing.
Let's look at another example. This one is from a recent Words and Their Stories article on the Learning English website. Listen for the two sentences that begin with a conjunction.
“To make it on Broadway, you have to be very good. But you also have to be tough. Actors usually have many doors closed in their faces before other doors, hopefully, open.
But even if you are hard-working and gifted, you may also need something else to succeed on Broadway – luck!
Yiğitcan’s question is not surprising. Many people are taught to avoid using conjunction words at the start of sentences. In fact, experts at Merriam-Webster.com write: "Everybody agrees that it’s all right to begin a sentence with and, and nearly everybody admits to having been taught at some past time that the practice was wrong."
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I’m Anna Matteo.
Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
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Words in This Story
conjunction grammar noun : a word that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words
formal – adj. suitable for a proper occasion
\ ˈbət \
1a : except for the fact would have protested but that he was afraid
b : that —used after a negative there is no doubt but he won
c : without the concomitant that it never rains but it pours
e : than no sooner started but it stopped —not often in formal use
2a : on the contrary : on the other hand : notwithstanding —used to connect coordinate elements he was called but he did not answernot peace but a sword
b : yet poor but proud
c : with the exception of —used before a word often taken to be the subject of a clause none but the brave deserves the fair— John Dryden
but that
: that —used after a negative there is no doubt but that it must be done
but what
: that … not —used to indicate possibility or uncertainty I don't know but what I will go
b : other than this letter is nothing but an insult
3 : to the contrary who knows but that she may succeed
4 —used as an intensive get there but fast
: that not : who not nobody but has his fault— William Shakespeare
Scotland
: the kitchen or living quarters of a 2-room cottage