Can a Sentence Begin with 'And' or 'But'?

This week on Ask a Teacher we answer a question from Yigitcan.

Question:

Yigitcan asks if it is correct to begin a sentence with conjunctions such as and, but and or. Their grammar book, this person adds, says no.

Answer:

It is completely acceptable to begin a sentence with the words and, but, and or. Conjunction words like these join together sentences, clauses, or phrases.

Sometimes starting a sentence with a conjunction makes your writing sound better. It can keep your thoughts clearly separate. And it can add importance to a thought, like in this example:

Not only is Stella my sister, she also is my best friend. And she is a great business partner, too!

Other times, it might be better to use a different word, such as, however. The word "however" sounds a bit more formal and serious than "but." The right word choice depends on the kind of writing you are doing.

Let's look at another example. This one is from a recent Words and Their Stories article on the Learning English website. Listen for the two sentences that begin with a conjunction.

"To make it on Broadway, you have to be very good. But you also have to be tough. Actors usually have many doors closed in their faces before other doors, hopefully, open.

But even if you are hard-working and gifted, you may also need something else to succeed on Broadway – luck!

Yigitcan's question is not surprising. Many people are taught to avoid using conjunction words at the start of sentences. In fact, experts at Merriam-Webster.com write: "Everybody agrees that it's all right to begin a sentence with and, and nearly everybody admits to having been taught at some past time that the practice was wrong."

And that is Ask a Teacher.

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I'm Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

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Words in This Story

conjunction grammar noun : a word that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words

formal – adj. suitable for a proper occasion