2007-07-24 14:50:22 · 7 answers · asked by MoNi MoNi 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Not yet. It's still considered poor writing for all but the most informal of situations. In many magazines and newspapers, however, this use is becoming much more common, so I imagine this will be seen as acceptable use fairly soon. Some people already accept it.
The real problem is that there is no proper word that can come at the beginning of a sentence that satisfies everyone. Even "however," which someone suggested, and which is preferred over "but," is not used in this way by careful writers. It's either placed after a sentence begins - "He is not, however, sure of the outcome," or after a semi colon and before a comma. Placing it at the beginning is considered by many to be grammatically correct, but stylistically incorrect.
It's basically a problem in the design of English. People will work this out one way or another before long, and they'll have to edit all those grammar books once again.
2007-07-24 15:19:48 · answer #1 · answered by Insanity 5 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Not usually, english teachers will throw a fit. Although most great authors understand that language "rules" are there to be bent and, occasionally, broken. HG Wells started a whole book with And as the first word. It's a no-no for journalists, legal eagles, business-types, english teachers and pedants of every measure...... but for any decent writer it's perfectly ok. In fact show me a great writer that DOESN'T break rules like this. If you stuck uncompromisingly to the correct grammar throughout a novel you'd likely end up with an extremely sterile read. Who wants a ripping yarn to read like a legal form? When someone tells you not to start a sentence with a conjunction, say "But I already have!"
2016-03-19 00:51:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Is it gramatically correct to start a sentence with "But"?
2015-08-14 05:16:14 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "But ." However, it is an informal way of writing. If you want to sound more formal, use "However" followed by a comma.
2007-07-24 14:56:15 · answer #4 · answered by Bad Kitty! 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you do it once in a while it should be fine (same with starting a sentence with 'And'). However, it should not be a trend in your papers. Try and limit using it to once a paper.
2007-07-24 14:55:15 · answer #5 · answered by sgdonovan79 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it grammatically correct? No. Is it okay to do in informal writing? Of course. Just don't turn in any school papers with "But" at the beginnings of sentences. But it's okay to do, you know, online and such. ;-)
2007-07-24 16:05:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
No. But everybody does it.
2007-07-24 17:10:23 · answer #7 · answered by 2jaxx 5 · 8⤊ 1⤋
No
2007-07-24 14:54:59 · answer #8 · answered by michelle 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋