And... and...and...starting a sentence with

Little Red Barn · Apr 18, 2007

Is it ever appropriate to start a sentence with "And" ?

Any rules on this?

It seems like I have done this a lot and I don't think you are ever suppose to start a sentence this way.

thanks
kimmi

Devil Ledbetter · Apr 18, 2007

Used sparingly, I think it can be quite effective.

He wasn’t a tall drink of water; he was a shot glass of tequila. And she needed a stiff drink.

However, it can easily develop into a bad habit. A writer friend of mine started nearly every sentence with "and" -- talk about annoying. It's just too easy to do. In my WIP, the majority of sentences starting with and are in dialogue.

Jamesaritchie · Apr 18, 2007

And

It's generally a very bad idea in formal writing, but perfectly fine in informal writing and fiction. English teachers usually teach formal writing, which is as it should be.

Flay · Apr 19, 2007

There's no reason to avoid beginning a sentence with a conjunction. And that's all there is to it.

Fowler described this imaginary prohibition as mere superstition nearly 80 years ago. It still is, though many readers will think it's a mistake, just as many will think that it's a mistake a sentence to end a preposition with. Or to blithely split any infinitive you like.

When you do such things, you take the risk of annoying readers who think you're making a mistake. They will be wrong. But you will never convince them of that.

Jamesaritchie · Apr 19, 2007

Flay said:
There's no reason to avoid beginning a sentence with a conjunction. And that's all there is to it.

Fowler described this imaginary prohibition as mere superstition nearly 80 years ago. It still is, though many readers will think it's a mistake, just as many will think that it's a mistake a sentence to end a preposition with. Or to blithely split any infinitive you like.

When you do such things, you take the risk of annoying readers who think you're making a mistake. They will be wrong. But you will never convince them of that.

It can be a serious mistake in formal writing, Fowler be damned. It's not a superstition, it is a firm rule in many formal circles. And starting a sentence with a conjunction can make informal writing read, ah, less than well, if done once too often.

Little Red Barn · Apr 19, 2007

Ohh, thanks everyone.

Silver King · Apr 19, 2007

Devil Ledbetter said:
He wasn’t a tall drink of water; he was a shot glass of tequila. And she needed a stiff drink.

That's one of the best lines ever. And I mean that.

Flay · Apr 19, 2007

Jamesaritchie said:
It's not a superstition, it is a firm rule in many formal circles.

A rule? Established by whom? It's a common usage, in formal or informal contexts, & I don't know of a recognised authority on English usage who would support your contention.

I agree entirely with your qualification, "...if done once too often."

Little Red Barn · Apr 19, 2007

Devil Ledbetter said:
Used sparingly, I think it can be quite effective.

However, it can easily develop into a bad habit. A writer friend of mine started nearly every sentence with "and" -- talk about annoying. It's just too easy to do. In my WIP, the majority of sentences starting with and are in dialogue.

Originally Posted by Devil Ledbetter
He wasn’t a tall drink of water; he was a shot glass of tequila. And she needed a stiff drink.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Wow, you are right Silver that quote is awesome...Love it DL.

licity-lieu · Apr 19, 2007

Jamesaritchie said:
It's generally a very bad idea in formal writing, but perfectly fine in informal writing and fiction. English teachers usually teach formal writing, which is as it should be.

Yeah... I always teach the rule 'never start a sentence with and, but or because'. But (heh heh) I teach a lot of kids who are practically illiterate so I really need to go back to basics. However, when I get a kid in my class who has obvious talent I'm really open to showing them how rules can be broken and why.

Devil Ledbetter · Apr 19, 2007

kimmi said:
Originally Posted by Devil Ledbetter
He wasn’t a tall drink of water; he was a shot glass of tequila. And she needed a stiff drink.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Wow, you are right Silver that quote is awesome...Love it DL.

Thank you both! It's been fun writing about a hot guy who's only 5'7".

ErylRavenwell · Apr 19, 2007

If a sentence is already peppered with conjunctions and is tired, using "and" to start a new sentence can infact be desirable.

Captain Morgan · Apr 20, 2007

I used to have this teacher who went crazy if anyone started a sentence with and or but. He constantly shouted how you never start a sentence with And/But, that doing so was not a sentence. In fact, he would go over board and even tried to tell us one day there was no such thing as the word 'but' even!

However, I didn't remember him preaching about split infinitives. So to this day I simply just can't start with And/But in a sentence, even if I see other famous writers doing it. Though I don't have a care in the world when I split infinitives.

licity-lieu · Apr 20, 2007

Yup. Teachers are evil, mwahhahaahaaa....but seriously, although I've never actually shouted at students, well maybe a few times but those were due to an infringement involving a fan and an over ripe bag of grapes...oh, and then there was the a fat-o-gram...I have been fired up over the teenage penchant for the lower case i. Hate that!

Judg · Apr 20, 2007

In formal writing it's frowned upon because a conjunction joins ideas. Periods separate ideas. It's therefore a bit of an oxymoron to have a period followed by a conjunction. (Well, coordinating conjunctions. Subordinating conjunctions work a bit differently.) And that, dear readers, is why all those English teachers get apoplectic about it. As a stylistic device in informal or formal writing, it has its place. And like any stylistic device, it's very tiresome when overused.

Unlike the preceding paragraph, where I deliberately threw in a couple to goad the absolutists, in my normal writing I have to watch out for overdoing it. I tend to throw them in without being conscious of the fact. So when I revise, I challenge them whenever I notice them and eliminate them if they don't make the sentence stronger. It's good to know your own weaknesses.

Scrawler · Apr 25, 2007

Danielle Steel started (or at least used to- I stopped reading her) nearly every sentence with And. And she usually ended each sentence with "little one". When I become as rich, successful and famous as she is, I'll complain.

rubarbb · Apr 25, 2007

kimmi said:
Is it ever appropriate to start a sentence with "And" ?

Any rules on this?

It seems like I have done this a lot and I don't think you are ever suppose to start a sentence this way.

thanks
kimmi

Kimmi, there are other ways to start a sentence as you will find. Also, did you receive my e-mail with the couple of pages, if so what did you think? And what is the help you said you needed? rubarbb

Silver-tongued Devil · Jun 7, 2007

It is an old rule that we should never split our related independent clauses into separate sentences and then begin the second one with a coordinating conjunction. It makes sense but modern writers don't abide by this rule. Hemingway did his dead-level best to trample the rule out of existence and that of run-on sentences as well. For that matter, at one time in the ancient past, we separated co from ordinating with a hyphen (co-ordinating). I rather like that but 100 years ago, we wrote to-day with a hyphen. Not even I would do that to-- er, now.

I notice someone above used "however" as a synonym for "but" and that is a new concept also.

Jamesaritchie · Jun 8, 2007

Flay said:
A rule? Established by whom? It's a common usage, in formal or informal contexts, & I don't know of a recognised authority on English usage who would support your contention.

I agree entirely with your qualification, "...if done once too often."

To heck with recognized authorities. That isn't how writing works. Writing works by what is or isn't accepted by the majority of those who have to read a given type of writing, be it formal or informal.

Whatever the "rule," our writing is going to be praised or damned by the majority of those who do the most reading in any given area. In formal writing, you will come off as less than knowledgeable less than influential, in the eyes of the majority should you go against the common constraints.

Now, I wouldn't say never begin a sentence with a conjunction in formal writing, but it is something to be extremely careful about. Like it or not, rule or not, recognized authority or not, mixing the "rules" of formal and informal writing does have a negative impact on the way those who do the most reading in this area will view you and your writing.

Not that I know many people these days who need or practice formal writing.

Bartholomew · Jun 8, 2007

Flay said:
just as many will think that it's a mistake a sentence to end a preposition with.

Maybe it's because of where I am in the English speaking world, but that sentence makes no sense.

Dawnstorm · Jun 8, 2007

Don't we all know the rules?

The passive voice should not be used. Adverbs are hard to use properly. Prepositions are bad words to end sentences with. But whetever you do, don't start a sentence with a conjunction.

pconsidine · Jun 8, 2007

Bartholomew said:
Maybe it's because of where I am in the English speaking world, but that sentence makes no sense.

It makes sense to me, even though I would definitely edit it for clarity if I were the one reviewing it.

MelodyO · Jun 8, 2007

Dawnstorm said:
Don't we all know the rules?

The passive voice should not be used. Adverbs are hard to use properly. Prepositions are bad words to end sentences with. But whetever you do, don't start a sentence with a conjunction.

Bwah! I...I think I love you. ::draws your initials on my math binder::

FloVoyager · Jun 10, 2007

Originally Posted by Devil Ledbetter
He wasn’t a tall drink of water; he was a shot glass of tequila. And she needed a stiff drink.

I am sooo stealing this line.

And... all things in moderation, someone wise once said.

gem1122 · Jun 10, 2007

I teach creative writing, and I stress to my students the importance of knowing and respecting the rules of grammar. Understanding the rules, then breaking them for what the author believes is a desired effect, is fine. Completely dismissing the importance of such rules shows nothing but ignorance.

And... and...and...starting a sentence with

haz own threads

Come on you stranger, you legend,

haz own threads

Megalops Erectus

haz own threads

drying and defragging...

Come on you stranger, you legend,

drying and defragging...

DISENCHANTED coming soon

Bored fanatic

Serenity

Comic guy

punny user title, here

Too Adorkable for Words

Waiting for love on the web

Will write for chocolate

We can pickle that