And who made these ridiculous rules anyway? They don't reflect how people speak.
2006-10-11 11:27:28 · 12 answers · asked by Simon K 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
that's the difference. if you are writing in proper english, you can't start a sentence with and, eg, an essay. however, if you are writing for speech, say a play or radio programme or just commentary on a magazine programme, then you can start a sentence with and, otherwise it sounds stilted and unnatural.
also, if you are writing informally to a friend, say, a letter or e mail, it's fine to use a conversational tone. a letter to a person such as a politician/councillor or bank manager, you would be advised to use formal lamguage, unless you knew them personally and well. it is all about tone.
2006-10-11 11:36:37 · answer #1 · answered by swot 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is because the nature of the word and is to add one item or phrase to another. That said, you can begin a sentence with but. Also and In addition are not the same as and. Written English doesnt need to reflect how people speak. It is not the purpose of the written word, however you can choose to write a piece as it would be spoken which allows you to throw all the written rules out of the window. This only works if you do it occasionally or for short pieces.
That was a boring answer wasnt it?!!!
2006-10-11 18:36:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It use to be considered improper English to start a sentence with "and", but it is now acceptable due to the extensive use of it in that manner. Also, the word "ain't" has been added to the dictionary. There is no one and only official source of proper English spellings and grammar. However, the most widely used ones tend to adopt or accept things once thought improper if they are commonly used in everyday language.
2006-10-11 18:44:57 · answer #3 · answered by babblefish186 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot start a sentence with a conjunction which is what 'and' is. In other words it joins together two separate parts of a sentence like' I am leaving the house and going to work.' It wouldn't make sense to say 'I am leaving the house.', 'And I am going to work.' now, would it. The only exception is in biblical use. Here you would get sentences that begin 'And it came to pass ....' to show the passing of time. Grammatically speaking you would not start a sentence with 'Also' also,
2006-10-11 19:10:57 · answer #4 · answered by quatt47 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Who said that you can't? I am always using and to begin a sentence. It just follows that if something can be linked as a compound sentence with and that you can make two sentences and join them with and. Why not?
2006-10-11 18:55:25 · answer #5 · answered by madchriscross 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You put a comma after Also, and In addition, but you can't put one after and.
There were no hard-and-fast grammar rules until the early 19th century.
Personally I find it much more irritating that people start a conversation with "So"--like you know what came before!
2006-10-12 03:51:00 · answer #6 · answered by anna 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What you say is not true. "That it is a solecism to begin a sentence with AND is a faintly lingering superstition. The OED gives examples ranging from the 10th to 19th century; the Bible is full of them"
2006-10-12 04:52:21 · answer #7 · answered by Crow_Feeder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the english language is a complete mess- how can ph make the sound f? how do you explain that to kids trying to learn how to read/ write?
why are there 3 ways to say to? grammer is very annoying !!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-10-11 18:37:19 · answer #8 · answered by Levi 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, you can now. Apparently. But it still feels a little odd.
2006-10-11 18:35:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
and il tell you another thing .i just started a sentence with [and]
2006-10-11 18:32:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋