Can I Start a Sentence with And?
How about But? What is the rule when it comes to conjunctions?
For years our teachers have told us, "Don't start your sentences with a conjunction!" However, the rules are changing.
If you're anything like me, for years and years you avoided using "but," "and," or "yet" to start a sentence. This often resulted in run-on sentences or short, choppy ones. The good news is that the rules are changing and it is now considered acceptable to start a sentence with a conjunction.
The most common conjunctions to start a sentence are "and" and "but," as show in the examples below.
*** Starting a sentence with a conjunction can be tricky. But, when you use it sparingly, it can be very effective.
*** Many business people think starting a sentence with a conjunction is unprofessional. And, you may still believe that too.
If you are tempted to start a sentence with "but" or "and" and wish to use a more formal term instead, try the following:
Instead of: "But, I like the red one too."
Try: "The red one is nice too."
Or try: "Nevertheless, the red one is flattering as well."
Instead of: "And, we hope to see you this fall at our fundraising event."
Try: "In addition, we hope to see you this fall at our fundraising event."
Or try: "Furthermore, we are pleased that you will be attending our fundraising event this fall."
The grammar guides still discourage placing a conjunction at the end of a sentence, and of course, use them wisely!
Do you need some more help with grammar rules? Try these:
