Grammar – Starting a Sentence With Or, And or But

Is it Acceptable to Use Conjunctions at the Beginning of Sentences?

Oct 21, 2008

Using conjuncts to begin sentences is common amongst respected authors and professional writers. It is also a laudable on-line writing convention.

In the not so distant past, an English assignment daring to begin a sentence with a conjunction would have been returned with red ink splattered all over it. But, as Bob Dylan sang, the times they are a-changin'. Or rather, the rules of grammar are reverting to a mode first made fashionable as long ago as the 18th century.

Starting a Sentence With And

In the 1700s it was perfectly acceptable to start sentences with a conjunction. And it is becoming increasingly prevalent again now. But why use a conjunction to start a sentence? There are many advantages:

It is not grammatically incorrect to start a sentence with 'or', 'and' or 'but', and never has been, although it used to be discouraged. Now, thanks to the advent of email, and the proliferation of blogs and other on-line resources, public acceptance is much more forthcoming.

Is Starting a Sentence With 'But' Allowed? What About 'Or'?

Grammar is a minefield into which only the most foolhardy march unprotected. But here's a little armoury:

The above, highly regarded, reference manuals both offer support to the grammatical validity of starting a sentence with a conjunction such as 'but' or 'or'.

When is it Incorrect to Start Sentences With Or, And or But?

This article uses several examples that show how sentences can quite naturally begin with a conjunction. However, it is worth bearing in mind that some readers, grounded in 20th century teaching methodology, will still recoil from such heresy. Overuse can also be downright irritating. Therefore, it is advisable to use this literary tool sparingly.

Words such as 'nevertheless', 'however' and 'therefore' offer an alternative to 'but' as a method of opening sentences with a linking word. The grammar is more traditional, and would definitely still be the acceptable format to use in technical writing, or for formal letters.

Formal alternatives to 'and', include words such as 'furthermore', 'moreover' and 'additionally'. But many of these words just sound wrong in everyday writing. When it comes to emails, blogs and informal writing, using 'and' or 'but' is much more appropriate.

Plus, 'but' can carry on a sentence without the need for the comma that follows a 'however' or 'nevertheless'. This is because 'but' doesn't require a pause. It gets straight to the point. This is another good reason it suits on-line writing.

And Another Thing

Professional writers and authors as diverse, and admired, as William Shakespeare and Truman Capote have all started sentences with conjunctions. (Grammatically, these then become what is known as conjuncts). If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for everyone. It just takes a bit of courage to start using them, after years of being told not to.

English teachers quite sensibly instill a desire to avoid using conjunctions to start sentences, because they are joining words. At the beginning of a child's education this is enough information to contend with. But as adults, the literary conventions become far more complex. Despite this knowledge, it is still sometimes hard to start a sentence with 'and' 'or' or 'but'. It feels like rule breaking.

Further reading: Writing something a little more formal, like a CV or Resume? Check out the Dos and Don'ts here.

The copyright of the article Grammar – Starting a Sentence With Or, And or But in Language & Style is owned by Michelle Strozykowski. Permission to republish Grammar – Starting a Sentence With Or, And or But in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.