Is it wrong to start a sentence with "but" or "and"?

Question

I was taught that a sentence shouldn`t begin with a conjunction, but now this seems very common in newspapers and books

What do you think?

Answer 1

Yes and no. In formal writing, a sentence beginning with a conjunction is never appropriate and is usually a fragment.

However, in informal writing, this choice mimics speech patterns and can really highlight the irony of the point:

"He called after the date and told me he had a great time, thought we would be great together and had never felt so strongly about someone. And that he's married."

See? If you included that last sentence as a phrase in the previous sentence, it wouldn't have the same impact.

Answer 2

I was also taught that one should never start a sentence with a conjunction. And I never do. But there's no "law" that says you can't start a sentence with a conjunction -- it's just a general guideline intended to prevent awkward writing. If your goal is effective communication, then you should write clearly. And if you feel that it's right, you can start a sentence with a conjunction.

Of course, in the classroom, the teacher gets to set the "rules" for writing in that classroom, and if your teacher tells you not to start a sentence with a conjunction, then it's fair to be marked down for doing so. And not even a note from your mom will change that.

Answer 3

In grammar, it is wrong because conjunctions aren't meant for the beginning of sentences, they're made for joining two sentences. But anyway, authors and writers of newspapers and books aren't concerned. It's ok, in some cases. It' not like it sounds wrong when you use a conjunction in the the beginning of a sentence.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

"Well when I was in school" and "No, it's never acceptable"; shut up you grammar nazis. Grammar, language is constantly evolving. If it suits the purpose and sounds more natural than just creating an endless list, then sure, it's fine. Do people start sentences with "and" and "but": yes. And there's your answer (okay, I squeezed that in but I'm trying to illustrate a point - it's not like mispelling a word or misusing punctuation, bending the syntax is approved if inventive). I wouldn't reccommend it in official documents, but that's just because it sounds slightly informal. Do you remember in science and maths when you were younger, you were taught rules and were perenially told a couple of years later that, well, there's more to it than that. Same principle applies here.

Answer 6

NO! It is not wrong. It is perfectly okay to start a sentence with "and," "but," "because," etc.Wow. I find it incredible that so many of you think that it actually IS wrong.

Here's and example...

*Incorrect* usage of "and" at the beginning of a sentence:

And then the girl went to the store.

The sentence above is not complete; it is a dependent clause meaning the clause above makes a claim that is dependent upon a previous sentence.

Here's an example of how the word is *correctly* used:

The girl left her house to run some errands. AND, after she picked up the dry cleaning, she went to the store.

FYI, here are some more *correct* sentences:

Because Sally was very hungry, she ate everything on her plate.

Sally felt very full. But, instead of putting her fork down, she continued to eat.

And after she realized she had eaten too much, she became very sick.



There.

Answer 7

It is many, many years since I studied English,but if I remember correctly, in certain circumstances it is in order to use the word 'but' at the beginning of a sentence. I may be wrong, but I think it may be when using speech exclamation marks.
As for 'and' hmmmm!


No doubt someone will correct me on this if I am wrong!!!

*Edit*
ScholarlyFox --- You have made me wonder about the standard of tutors. Have you never heard of 'Commas'?

Answer 8

You were taught correctly but newspapers etc take liberties of all kinds. Also never end a sentence with a preposition!

Answer 9

No it is not, I left School unable to read or write in 1965, Dyslexic then not known and I was regarded as being backward but now look I am an Author with a book out on most book site like Amazon, because I used my computer with a spell checker and a grammar correction to write it, bit by bit, I started off witting but kept what I wrote on file in my documents on my computer, I used Microsoft Word, then I put what I wrote together and then added more on until I finally got a full book, then I found publishers who spent money to do it up and they called my book that is more about my life than Internet,
(A Serial Shaggers Guide to Internet dating, My 1001 lovers), By Me, Author Clive Worth,

Answer 10

Depends on the context. As a general rule it is wrong and shouldn't be used in formal text, but other than that, it's fine. Language always is adapting, but starting with 'and' still seems wrong to me!