Is it proper to begin a sentence or question with the words "and" and "because"?

Question

Please explain. Thank you.

I know about prepositional phrases and I know that because can be in the beginning of a sentence like this for example.

"Because it was snowing, she didn't attend school."

I was asking that because when people ask questions like "Why do people ask stupid questions?" for example, I see that a lot of answerers begin their answer with because like this "Because they're stupid."

Answer 1

This question actually raises two issues. One issue is the validity of the traditional rule against beginning a sentence with a conjunction. The other, more important, one is the use of incomplete sentences or thoughts.

The rule against beginning a sentence with a conjunction is an old and pervasive one, and most people remember having been taught it in grade school. But very few usage writers have recommended avoiding the practice; most seem to think that it's fine, for effect, as long as it's not overdone. H.W. Fowler goes so far as to call the rule an "ungrammatical piece of nonsense." The rule is probably meant to prevent examples such as: "I have a cat. And a dog." When dealing with young children, it is easier to say "don't begin a sentence with 'and' or 'but'" than it is to say "Don't use incomplete sentences," which is a more difficult concept for the very young to understand.

Sentences beginning with "and" or "but" are found in English as early as the ninth century, in the Old English Chronicle, and such sentences can also be found in Shakespeare, the King James Bible, John Locke, Edmund Burke, Lord Macaulay, Charles Dickens, and others. There's nothing inherently wrong with the practice.

Answer 2

No, in the case of a conjunction, it's bad syntax. 'And', 'Or' and 'But' are conjunctions and so join two parts of a sentence, so they should never start one, or, at least, not without some license.

There are occasions when one wishes to indicate a pause in speech or thought which is longer than the usual. Or, maybe, an afterthought.

One may use a number of punctuation devices to indicate a break in the flow of an idea and it depends very much on what sort of prose one is writing. A review or a commentary article, for instance, may be written in a colloquial style and may very well break many grammatical and syntactical rules. As long as it 'flows' as if it were being spoken and doesn't jar on the ear, then it is usually acceptable.

If one is writing formal prose, however, [note here a way of avoiding starting the sentence with 'But' by inserting the word 'however' like a large, bold comma] one should abide by the rules which say that a sentence should be constructed in a certain way.

'Because' is a little different. Because it is a word which introduces a reason for something, one can start a sentence with it quite correctly for emphasis (as I have done here.)

In the case of an answer to a question which starts with 'Why ...', it is acceptable (though colloquial) to start the answer with 'Because ...' . If one were to be very formal, one should rephrase the question as a statement and some examiners might expect you to do that. However, 'Why ... ' 'Because ...' are so common in speech that it is normally considered pedantic to insist on a formality like that.

Answer 3

I believe that technically, it would qualify as "incorrect grammar" to begin a sentence with "and", "because", or "but". It's even worse (technically) to end a sentence with a preposition.

However, the rules of Perfect Grammar don't need to be followed that closely in Creative Writing (a novel, a story, an essay, poetry, etc). There's a degree of "Poetic License" involved. If you're writing a thesis, for example, or a technical manual, the grammar restrictions are tighter.

And I should point out that I am a part-time writer for a local community magazine. Because I can get away with it, I sometimes allow myself to ignore certain grammatical rules. Like I said, it's just something I can get away with.

But these rules don't apply to everyone.

Answer 4

In poetry you can basically start a sentence with anything. You can not start a real sentence with and. You can start one with because, though. You can start a sentence with a prepositional phrase, and because is a preposition, so here's a sentence you can start with because:
Because I was sick, I did not go to the game.
That is the correct way to use because at the beginning of a sentence. However, this is incorrect:
Because I did.
Hope this helped.

Answer 5

because The "rule" against beginning sentences with because is a myth. Use because to introduce dependent clauses; that is, the clause beginning with because could be dropped from the sentence, and a complete sentence would remain. See and, but; Myths and Superstitions of Writing.

A comma is not always needed before because. Negative wording, however, often need the comma to clarify which part of the sentence because modifies, as in these examples: He didn't go to the workshop, because it conflicted with his work schedule. He didn't go to the workshop because he had to; he went to it because it met his needs. In the first example, you can drop the clause, and the sentence is still true. In the second example, the sentence's meaning depends on the clause. See due to.

because, since Both words can be used to mean "for the reason that." Because is the stronger conjunction for pointing out a direct cause-effect relationship: They went to the concert because they had been given tickets. Since is milder in suggesting a cause-effect relationship: Since I love folk music, I went to the concert. When readers might confuse since with its meaning "from the time that," use because. See Myths and Superstitions of Writing.

and, but Some teachers wisely taught us not to begin every sentence or fragment of a sentence with and (or but). And others taught us mistakenly not to begin any sentence with those conjunctions. Whatever the lesson, the result has been a common misunderstanding that it's incorrect to begin sentences with conjunctions. Ignore that myth!

And and but are simple, clear and correct transition words between related (and) and contrasting (but) sentences. Go ahead and use 'em--And instead of Additionally, Furthermore, In addition or Moreover, and But instead of However. But don't overdo it. They'll lose their punch. A comma is unnecessary following And and But at the beginning of a sentence. See also; beside, besides; so; yet; and Myths and Superstitions of Writing.

Answer 6

Even though "and" starts a conjunction phrase and "because" begins a clause (sentence fragments) you can begin a whole sentence properly with these words.

"Because Michael was late for parade, the entire platoon had to do push-ups for an hour."

"And All the King's Men" is a wonderful work of literature.

Answer 7

It is not appropriate in formal usage to start a sentence with 'and'; however, you'll frequently notice it in common usage. That grammar rule will probably eventually get rewritten.

You -can- start a sentence with because, people just tell you not to because most don't know how to do it.

There are two ways you can join an independant (doesn't need another half of a sentence to work) clause and a dependant (does need one) clause together:

I went inside because it was hot.
Because it was hot, I went inside.

As long as you have a comma between the dependant clause and the independant clause, you can start a sentence with 'Because'.

Answer 8

yes, when you begin a sentence with a subordinating conjunction like (because) you need to add a comma after the dependent clause. for example: Because he was late{dependent clause}, he missed the bus. {independent clause} or complete sentence}.
BECAUSE HE WAS LATE, HE MISSED THE BUS.

with (and) a (coordinating conjuction) can be used in the beginning of a sentence.
And he left. (just cover the coordinating conjunction and if you are left with a sentence it is right. A rule to find out if you have a complete sentence is the I know that test in front of the sentence.
KNOW THAT HE LEFT = complete sentence

Answer 9

No, it is not proper to use "and" & "because" at the beginning of a sentence. Those words help to create combination sentences so that you can keep from having too many short sentences. For example; I was jogging yesterday and I became over heated. With out and it would be: I was jogging yesterday. I became over heated. With the word because you would be explaining a statement such as: I became over heated yesterday because I was jogging.

Answer 10

In traditional English it is not acceptable, because your sentence seems to be missing the beginning. In speaking people often start an utterance with one of those words to add onto something that another person has said. In less formal writing, such as short stories and novels, sentences starting with "and" or "because" can be seen more as language gets less stuffy and more alive.