Yes, the word because can start a correct sentence, but I can only think of two such instances: 1. However, IMHO, to say that it is bad practice to start a sentence with "here" is too sweeping. Can you start a sentence with 'That is, unless' when the sentence is a clarification of the previous sentence. And then, we come to using so at the start of a sentence. Some purists would argue that one should never start a sentence with a conjunction in formal writing, but the tide is beginning to turn on that former truism. Professional writers have always started sentences with those words. The short answer is yes; there is nothing grammatically wrong with starting a sentence with a conjunction like but, and, or or. Contrary to belief (and probably what your English teachers told you), there’s no definitive rule prohibiting writers from using this great device. Incorrect. Opening the door, she wished me a nice day. A coordinating conjunction is a word that we use to connect or join words, phrases, and clauses that are related or are logical equals. How to start a sentence: Consider all your alternatives, and sprinkle in some conjunctions, too. It writes: There's no AP Stylebook rule against starting a sentence with a conjunction. The three most essential reasons are being shared indicating to stop using IT at the starting of a sentence. Here, a subordinate clause headed by with ends rather than begins the sentence. -ex: "Because" can start a sentence. For years I offered $100 in cash to any student who could find the Don’t start a sentence with but rule in a grammar book from a reputable publisher. When these phrases introduce a sentence, they are followed by a comma and are understood to be describing the noun right after the comma. whether to stay or leave is my own business. December 1, 2017, 1:05 am CST Starting a sentence or reply with “so” or “basically” drives me NUTS! There is another time when you can start a sentence with “because” and not follow that two clause rule: if you’re using it conversationally to answer a spoken or unspoken “why” question. This can be on any topic including narratives or nonfiction. For our purposes, let's break them up into 2 groups: phrases used within a sentence and phrases used to begin a new sentence. You may, however, encounter people who mistakenly believe that starting a sentence with a conjunction is an error, so consider your audience when deciding to structure your sentences this way. Examples of The Usage of But at The Beginning of A Sentence Element115. It’s just a simple matter of enabling yourself to START a sentence, and once the words start flowing, there’s no stopping them! But don't overuse it. It’s not correct,” your friend insists. Why You Shouldn’t Start a Sentence with Any of These 10 Phrases Catherine Holecko Updated: Dec. 27, 2020 Don't undermine your message, or your relationships, with these instant conversation-killers. 1 Like .) Starting a Sentence with “And,” “But,” “Or,” “Nor”. Perhaps a coordinating for can begin a sentence, perhaps not. Or readers will be annoyed. It is impossible to say that something isnever done or is always correct or wrong. Often so is used in a similar way as the last example, as a conjunction, but placed at the start of a sentence; The puppy was cute. Indeed either word can give unimprovably early warning of the sort of thing that is to follow." Adjectival phrases modify nouns. "Beside" is a preposition of direction: "Beside the store was a toxic waste dump." But can you start sentences with these words? nor. And it works well in some instances. Swap the clauses. The word because can be used as a subordinating conjunction. You have begun a sentence with for! whether you agree or not, i'll take her with me. Students: We have free audio pronunciation exercises. I replaced prepositional clauses with present participle clauses. So, without further ado, let me give you 35 useful English sentence starters. In general, the longer the prepositional phrase, the more you need the comma. Use an infinitive phrase as a subject: To get a head start was his goal. There is nothing wrong with starting sentences with “and,” “but,” or other similar conjunctions. Can you start a sentence with yet? But inexperienced writers tend to start too many sentences with "-ing" words, which makes their writing repetitive and dull or can lead to a confusing sentence structure. Improve this answer. When I hear it used it is normally a signal to me not to listen to what a person is saying. That means that yes, you can start a sentence with “and” or “but” as long as you consider the function of the word and the message you intend to give through its use. You can start a sentence with “but” if it is a sentence of dialogue. Otherwise, you create a fragment and show that you have not been taught a basic writing rule. For, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so are called coordinating conjunctions. I remember having the “don’t start a sentence with and or but” conversation with English teachers more than 20 years ago. Can You Start A Sentence With A Preposition In Good Writing? One individual was polite; the other was not. no main clause, i.e., an incomplete sentence or a fragment. If that was drilled into your head at some point during your elementary school English lessons, then you’re not alone. In other words, does the 'or' refer only to the sentence that precedes it, or does it refer to the two sentences that precede it? You can also begin a sentence with "beside", but it has a different meaning. In formal writing, you can start a sentence with any subordinating conjunction including because as long as you remember to also write the main clause and complete the sentence. Do some spoken English practice with yourself. Their work has been fairly I truly believe the idea that this is a rule starts in elementary school, where we all hooked a bunch of sentences together with “and.”. This is a no-no, because you’re not supposed to start a sentence with a numeral. Do not start a sentence with due to or based on. Use them in your daily English conversations with others. Good writing usually aims to omit needless words. A company can adopt a standardized approach or an internal models approach, with the former generally leading to much higher capital charges and the latter requiring regulatory approval. The writer leaves the reader to figure that out as best he/she can. Start of a Sentence. Writing samples tracing back to the 9th century, including Bible translations, break these 'sacred' rules, which stem from attempts to curb school children from stringing too many unrelated sentences together. Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, and clauses that are balanced as logical equals: Mary and I went to the meeting. Kim on August 17, 2019 9:47 am. Can you start a sentenc… Answer: Yes, but I would not use this in a formal essay for class and only sparingly in any professional writing. The answer is simple: Yes. for. whether you like it or not, you have to take that test. According to a usage note in the fourth edition of The American Heritage Dictionary, "But may be used to begin a sentence at all levels of style. , For example: "Drink lots of … The answer is yes, but you would need a good reason to do this. Teaching students to use a variety of sentence structures can greatly improve their writing. Then the service will come to the rescue . Others say you can’t start a sentence with “and.” And again, there’s a kernel of wisdom in here. So, you have contradicted your first sentence to some extent.) It's whatever feels like it should start the sentence, independent of … If you’re asking what is the rule for writing … *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. “Although” may start a sentence or show up in the middle of a sentence as a conjunction. Group 1: Phrases Used Within A Sentence Each phrase can be used within a sentence when it is followed by a list of items which elaborate on or show examples for the main idea of the sentence. Others say you can’t start a sentence with “and.” And again, there’s a kernel of wisdom in here. I remember having the “don’t start a sentence with and or but” conversation with English teachers more than 20 years ago. This paragraph is an example. There’s no such rule – and never has been.) Because we forgot to refresh the medium and the bacteria died. 4. So, if it’s improper to start a sentence with the words “and” or … If you have a good reason, then there is no problem with starting with a quote. Answer: Yes! Therefore, starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction is best reserved for impact. These sentences can come in many tenses, and are usually emphatic. There is no English rule that says a sentence cannot begin with and, but, or, nor. brings together the best of the Chicago Style Q&A. It doesn't have much place in fiction unless the hero or … 1. Of course. Due to and based on create adjectival phrases. By. But, in the latter sentence, you say there is scope for improvement. However, in some cases an imperative can further engage readers, enabling them to take a more active role in understanding your essay. By Bryan A. Garner. English has only seven of these linking words. The easiest and most traditional way to start a sentence is with the subject, the noun that is doing the main action, as shown in this sentence: . "And" is a conjunction which like the other conjunctions (but, for, nor, so, yet) is primarily intended to join two different sentences together into one, or to compare two ideas (as I just did here). Even your English teacher did it. You can’t start a sentence with a conjunction!” Strange. If farmers and vendors know how to prevent bacterial contamination and how to wash produce properly, then even street food will be much safer to eat. In … In your case, that would probably be something along the lines of. You can start a sentence with 'and' or 'but' (i.e., a coordinating conjunction) but many still consider this a nonconformist style. Business Writing Blog. Position “although” at the beginning or middle of a sentence. "This is a proper sentence, because there is a definite cause-and-effect implied. Element115. It didn’t make sense then, and it doesn’t make sense now. Prepositional phrases at the beginning of sentences are common and grammatically correct. Can You Start A Sentence With A Quote In An Essay Depending on the author and the style of those phrases you can present your essay as a more serious one, or more emotional, or can you start a sentence with a quote in an essay creative text, etc This post can be a useful start for anyone seeking to search a quotation or find the source of a quotation.Examples of How To Use A Quote in an … So you may start your sentence with 'at'. Begin by having students write a short passage. The idea that you shouldn't begin a sentence with a conjunction is one of those "rules" that really isn't — along with some others you've probably heard, like "never split an infinitive" and "don't end a sentence with a preposition." You can really choose anything as your topic. The polite individual, who works as a field representative for an insurance company, wrote: However, you can start a sentence with "however." Is it breaking grammar rules? My ears close and mind shuts down. When referring to the word itself. Can you start a sentence with a name? In sentence 2, the comma after the conjunction but is there because of the parenthetical clause. In respect to this, can you start a sentence with having said that? example: Whether you like it or not you can start a sentence with 'whether'. But what if talking is easy, but writing is Can I Start An Essay With The Word Following difficult. The reason you can’t usually start a sentence with “because” is because the sentence needs two parts for because to join together. Begin by having students write a short passage. and includes an interactive exercise. That is, it can be used to introduce a subordinating clause (= dependent clause) and connect it with an independent clause. Can you start a sentence with and? In writing, what is placed as the subject, or at the head of a sentence, makes a difference to the focus, clarity or effectiveness of the message. It didn’t make sense then, and it doesn’t make sense now. Your introduction should convey authenticity and enthusiasm, and highlight the qualifications that make you a great fit for the role. 3. There are a lot of people who’ve heard you can’t start a sentence with “and,” and many who’ve heard the same about “but” and “so.” Those prohibitions are fictional (In fact, “Garner’s Modern American Usage” calls the idea that you can’t start a sentence with “and,” “but,” or “so” a superstition). No, it’s not. This is a construction which can be used to make complex argumentation clearer. Starting a sentence with the conjunction “so” is, for me, synonymous with liberal elites. Active Oldest Votes. Examples. Trying to avoid this can … Every one I’ve heard so far is bunk. “Nope. It’s Fine to Start a Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction. They can be easily to add to the start of a sentence, e.g. 2. Starting a sentence with an "-ing" word is grammatically correct. This week two people who subscribe to my e-newsletter emailed me to question a word I had used to start a sentence. Sentences that start with an “only” adverbial, usually referring a particular time or condition, have a curious structure as they typically require an auxiliary verb and an inversion. Starting a Sentence with "However" For no good reason, lots of writers dislike starting a sentence with "however." Share. While you can start a sentence with 'while', you need to include the second half of the sentence, too. Fortunately, the formula for opening a successful cover letter is easy to follow. so. (Hint: Both halves of the sentence need to contain a verb.) Starting a sentence with 'or' often encourages imprecise thinking. Use because of or on the basis of instead. As a matter of style, most journals advise authors not to start any sentence with an abbreviation or a number. However, acronyms are generally acceptable in that position, either because they are words in their own right (such as laser and radar) or represent names of organizations (such as NASA and CERN). People have been doing it for years. Like a 100-meter sprinter, your sentences should start strong and finish even stronger. Repeat them. By Merriam-Webster’s definition, a conjunction joins together clauses, phrases, words, or sentences (that’s right, sentences). yes, you can e.g. But Can I Start a Sentence with But ? Here’s few examples: Only after the sun went down, did the bats come out. Rather than start the sentence condescendingly, I think a better way would be to tentatively suggest the subject. Can we start a sentence with a conjunction such as and or but?In the not-too-distant past, this was a big no-no. When you start a sentence with a prepositional phrase, it's usually a good idea to put a comma after it. Question: Can I use "and" at the start of a sentence? Here’s a sentence for you to ponder: 1968 was no year for a catching of the breath. Next have students use highlighters to underline the first word in each sentence. Yosef Bskinh mentions a different construction starting with an infinitive: an initial purpose clause. When people say, “Having said that” it is a signal that they are going to say something which will contrast or disagree with what they said a moment ago. Can you start a sentence with but in academic writing? This can be on any topic including narratives or nonfiction. Most of us were taught this rule in school – and we followed it with every writing assessment, research paper, and book report we ever wrote. Begin a sentence with an infinitive phrase used as an adjective: To get a head start, he arrived 20 minutes early. 2,817 8. If you find it unwieldy to reorder your words, spell out the number: Seventy-six percent of the class barely passed the final, 18% flunked miserably, and 6% burst into tears. The topic can be anything you choose, and can definitely be a dative object. Ways To Start A Sentence In An Essay, how to write a 5 paragraph essay test, how to cite an article mla in an essay, gre 2018 essay topics When I first learned about this service, I was not sure whether I could trust the writing agencies. This isn’t the only grammar prohibition asserting you can’t start a sentence with a certain word or type of word. Use specific conventions to express numbers in words. So, can you start a sentence with because? For instance: Taking the hint, I said goodbye. The same point was made over a century ago by Harvard rhetorician Adams Sherman Hill: "Objection is sometimes taken to employment of but or and at the beginning of a sentence; but for this, there is much good usage" ( The Principles of Rhetoric , 1896). But Can I Start a Sentence with “But”? A basic grammar rule is that the first word in a complete sentence should be capitalized. Curated from years of entries, it features some of the most popular—and hotly debated—rulings and also recovers old favorites long buried in the archives. Memorize them. As longtime readers have no doubt picked up, I’ve got sort of a distinctive writing style for legal writing. yet. Hopefully let the listener or reader draw a positive conclusion. Short sentences are crucial to … That well-meaning teacher said, “Don’t start … ‘From across the street, I saw the hooded figure’, ‘After breakfast, I got dressed in my finest dinosaur costume and headed to work’. Buried Subject – When you start sentences with IT, the main subject of the sentence is buried that readers may identify later. The phrase beginning with 'that' functions as a noun which can then be discussed in the rest of the sentence. Teaching students to use a variety of sentence structures can greatly improve their writing. The question about whether it’s grammatical to begin a sentence with and, but, or or is actually the question of whether it’s grammatical to begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Starting a sentence with an introductory phrase that begins with a preposition and ending a sentence with a stranded preposition can be grammatically correct. Spell Out Numbers at the Start of a Sentence. While theorist B claims X, theorist A perceives the problem differently. Hope that helps a little. Make sure that you are using “although” as your first word of the sentence, or after a comma in the middle of a sentence… For example, when it is a coordinating conjunction, can it begin a sentence? To talk to my boss was what I wanted to do all morning. Beginning a sentence with the imperative form of a verb may feel inappropriate, as it essentially involves telling the reader what to do. : Advice from the Chicago Style Q&A (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) [The University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff, Saller, Carol Fisher] on Amazon.com. So, I picked it up. It has been called the new "um" or "like," but linguist Geoff Nunberg says starting sentences with "so" isn't a new trend. Students should use different ways to start sentences. Next have students use highlighters to underline the first word in each sentence. Yes, you can! There are reasons though for why many writers, and indeed our teachers, don’t like us using a conjunction at the Students should use different ways to start sentences. For example. Figuring out how to start a cover letter can be intimidating. So, it must be okay, you argue. Begin a sentence with a prepositional phrase and end it with the subject: From … If that clause were not there or were not parenthetical, there would be no comma. Summary: You can start a sentence with a conjunction, and you should not put a comma after the conjunction. Here are the variants. Many of us learned in elementary school that it’s incorrect to start a sentence with a conjunction, a word like “and,” “but,” or “so.”. In fact, starting a sentence with "however" is a clear way to link a new sentence to the previous sentence, which is the primary function of a conjunctive adverb like "however." Spell out numbers (e.g., one, two, three) at the start … But that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t do it. Not true! Correct. You’re starting a sentence with and, and your detail-oriented friend suddenly erupts with “Pssh! 5. The AP Stylebook doesn't prohibit starting sentence with but, although it does urge moderation. : Advice from the Chicago Style Q&A (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing Well, it’s really correct to start a sentence with ‘because’. They are: For And Nor But Or Yet So They are easy to remember because they create the acronym, FANBOYS. But Can I Start a Sentence with But ? Use a Variety of Words and Constructions to Start Your Sentences. Some writers start the majority of their sentences with the same basic formula they learned in middle school: start with the subject and place the verb after it, as close as possible. They write most sentences like these, for example: Jackie wants to become a better writer. 3. Starting with so. You weren’t aware starting sentences with conjunctions was verboten. You can always say "beside that", which is basically a synonym for "besides". In particular, there is no rule whatsoever that says that the subject is the topic "by default" or whatever. In fact you can start a sentence with almost any word. This page includes examples of starting sentences with 'and,' 'but,' and 'or.' It can be used as a conjunction like this: The puppy was cute, so I picked it up. Eddie88Is it alright to begin a sentence with 'for' in formal writing? But you can come up with more ordinary examples. It is correct and very common to start a sentence with "With respect to..." or "With regard to...". Portal where everyone can get english paper Can I Start An Essay With The Word Following writing help will help in moments when you can not do without the text to get a job or a According to this perspective, it wouldn’t be correct to write a sentence like this: “And the report is due on Wednesday.”. If a name that begins with a lowercase letter begins a sentence, then it should be capitalized. We're just noticing it more now. It cannot end a sentence. The exception, in my opinion, is with the word “so.” I like a little comma action when I start a sentence with “so.” And this guy at Just Publishing Advice agrees with me:. Good writing usually aims to omit needless words. Yes, You Can Start a Sentence with “And” or “But”. Since you should never begin a sentence with a numeral, you should first try to reword the sentence. If I had to characterize it, I’d say that it falls somewhere between “prickly” and “shrill.”. There's nothing wrong with that sentence, and no problem starting a sentence with maybe. Simple, complete sentences can be made of a single clause – and the minimum requirement for a clause is a subject and a verb. Joe drove to the store. 3. My librarian friends would invariably report a run on grammar books for the next couple of days. But this answer comes with a warning. How Not to Start a Sentence Part II. 1 Answer1. It's perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with 'And,' as well as the other words that we are often taught to avoid such as 'but' or 'or.' In sentences like that, it is fronted for emphasis: a more neutral version would be "All morning I wanted to talk to my boss". (You may have been told that you can’t start a sentence with and or but. It’s a question I often heard when I was teaching: Can a sentence start with but?. You seem to be using "as," to substitute for the conjunction, "because," at least in the first instance.In that case, it is generally OK to start a sentence with "as," particularly in informal writing. It is perfectly acceptable to start certain sentences with Because, as long as the sentence contains a cause-and-effect relationship: "Because the principal will not be in the building, the assembly has been postponed. You should never start a sentence with the words “and” or “but” – never. Although our subscriber asked specifically about starting sentences with and or but, any of the seven coordinating conjunctions may start a sentence. answered Mar 16 '18 at 2:10. Usually, “because” goes in between the two clauses, so if we start a sentence with “because” there is often only one clause in the sentence. Another way to start a sentence with because. And, but, and or are the three most common members of a group of words known as coordinating conjunctions. What is the 'scope' of the 'or'? How many times did your teachers tell you to never start a sentence with and?I heard this countless times growing up, and it’s a hard habit to break. [joins two subjects] There are billions of possibilities in arranging sentences. Start Sentences With Any Word You Want!

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