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Understanding the Grammar Rules for Placing a Comma Before But

It can be difficult to know when you should put a comma before the word “but” in a sentence. After all, “but” is a conjunction that can join together different parts of a sentence. Sometimes, it is okay to use “but” without a comma. Here are some guidelines on whether you need to use a comma before the word “but” and some examples of best practices.

The Rules

In general, you should put a comma before the word “but” when the word connects two independent clauses. An independent clause can function on its own without the rest of the phrase. A dependent clause needs the other clause to work as a sentence.

For instance, the sentence: “I would accept the assignment, but I have too many assignments to write already.”

In this case, both clauses can function independently. “I would accept the assignment” works as a sentence on its own. “I have too many assignments to write already” also works as an independent sentence. Because of this, there should be a comma before the word “but.”

If one of the clauses is a dependent clause, then you should not use a comma before the word “but.”

For instance, “I would accept the assignment but for my existing workload.”

In this sentence, “for my existing workload” does not have a verb. It is not a complete sentence and cannot stand on its own. It is a dependent clause. For this reason, you do not need a comma before the word “but” because both phrases are not independent clauses.

Examples of Correct Comma Usage

Generally, you need to use a comma before the word “but” when it connects two independent clauses. Some examples of this are:

Content marketing takes time, but it is worth the effort.
Writing a book is only the first part of the process, but you could spend just as much time editing it.
An interview with a subject manner can provide a lot of information for upcoming articles, but taking accurate notes is equally important.

Examples of Correct But Without Comma Usage

Some examples of sentences that would not need to have a comma before the word “but” are:

He is young but ambitious.
She wrote a song and submitted it to a contest but lost anyway.
She loves to read novels but hates nonfiction books.

Best Practices

When writing complex sentences, it is important to look at whether the clauses are independent or dependent clauses. If the clauses are independent and could function as separate sentences, you do need a comma. However, if the clause is dependent and relies on the independent clause before it, you do not need the comma.

If you are not sure what to do, you could rely on an online grammar checker such as Grammarly or Hemingway. Both programs should be able to provide feedback about proper comma usage. With Grammarly, you may need to use Grammarly Premium, the paid version, to get access to advanced grammar review. The free version provides some basic guidance on clauses and comma usage.

There are actually some rare instances where it might be appropriate to use a comma after the word “but.” This is when the word “but” is used as an interrupter. The sentence or clause will still retain its meaning without the word. For example, an interrupter might read something like: “but, of course, sometimes interviews need to be rescheduled.” The sentence “sometimes interviews needs to be rescheduled” is a full sentence on its own. The only reason that there is a comma after the word “but” is because of the interrupter that comes after it.

Proper grammar usage is an important part of writing, whether you are creating long-form content or short social media posts. It is a way to maintain the clearest level of communication and ensure that your comma usage is consistent across the written content that you produce. In most cases, you should use a comma with an independent clause. It can be that simple.

Melanie G. is a freelance writer and editor living in Tampa, Florida. She’s freelanced full-time since she left her writing job at Nielsen in 2012.

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Should you use a comma before but or after but?

You should use a comma before but whenever you’re connecting two independent clauses. It’s much rarer to use a comma after but.

In this article, we explain this comma rule and give you examples of sentences that use commas before and after but.

Do You Put the Comma Before or After But?

There are three possible situations you might encounter when it comes to using a comma with the word but.

You might need to use a comma before but, you might need to use a comma after but, and you might not need to use a comma at all.

Let’s look at each of these punctuation rules in more detail.

Comma Before But

You should use a comma before but if you’re using the word but to connect two independent clauses.

An independent clause is a string of words that can stand on its own as a complete sentence, with a subject and an object.

For example, “I love food” and “I hate cooking” are both independent clauses.

If you join those two independent clauses with a conjunction, such as “and,” “or,” or “but,” you should use a comma where the period would have been after the first independent clause.

For example, you would use a comma in this sentence: “I love food, but I hate cooking.”

Here are a few more examples of cases when you need to include a comma before but:

I have a gym membership, but I rarely use it.
This restaurant has great service, but the food is quite expensive.
You’re a very nice person, but I only see you as a friend.

Notice that all of the above examples use the word but to connect two independent clauses, both of which could stand alone as complete sentences.

No Comma Before or After But

You don’t need to use a comma before or after but if you’re connecting an independent clause with a dependent clause.

We defined independent clauses earlier. A dependent clause, in contrast, is a string of words that doesn’t form a complete sentence.

For example, the phrase, “only if it’s well-cooked” is a dependent clause. Thus, you wouldn’t use a comma in the following sentence: “I love food but only if it’s well-cooked.”

Here are some other examples of cases when you don’t need a comma:

Sarah has seven cats but only one dog.
You had a birthday party but didn’t tell me about it?
I’m very busy but not because of work.

Notice that in each of the above examples, the clause that follows the word but is dependent, meaning it isn’t a grammatically complete sentence on its own.

Comma After But

Using a comma after but is much rarer than using a comma before but.

You should only do this when you’re interrupting the sentence flow with another word or clause immediately after the word but, to create emphasis.

For example, you might write, “But, my dear, you didn’t tell me the whole story.” In this case, the phrase “my dear” is an interrupter that adds dramatic literary effect.

Here are some other examples of cases when you might include a comma after but:

“But, as you know, the dodo bird went extinct long ago.”
“I enjoyed the book, but, to be honest, I didn’t completely understand it.”
“I tried to go to the grocery store, but, as it turns out, it closed early.”

Notice that all of the above examples include an interrupter immediately after the word but.

Remember that this is a rare situation, so most of the time, you should avoid using a comma after but.

If you’re unsure whether to use a comma before or after but, you can run your writing through ProWritingAid to see if you’re placing all your commas correctly.

When to Use a Comma Before But

The best way to learn grammar rules is by studying examples. Let’s take a closer look at some examples of comma usage from English literature.

Examples of Times to Use a Comma Before But

“Family is a story that is told to you, but the story that matters most you must tell yourself.”—Ken Liu, The Hidden Girl and Other Stories

“She’d always been a great liar. The only difference between lying and acting was whether your audience was in on it, but it was all a performance just the same.”—Brit Bennett, The Vanishing Half

“The rules aren’t written down anywhere, but the important rules rarely are.”—Alix E. Harrow, The Once and Future Witches

Examples of Times to Use No Comma Before or After But

“There was nothing else to do but continue, no matter how frightened she might be.”—Shelley Parker-Chan, She Who Became the Sun

“She was going to elaborate but lost courage when she saw Martha’s expression darken.”—Clare Chambers, Small Pleasures

“They left her in Merilance with nothing but a book.”—V.E. Schwab, Gallant

Examples of Times to Use a Comma After But

“But, of course, Billy felt like it was just people attacking him. When you have everything, someone else getting a little something feels like they’re stealing from you.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones & The Six

“I school my face to blankness, but, inside, my emotions are raging like a creek after a spring storm.”—Justina Ireland, Dread Nation

“Nobody’s perfect, she liked to say. But, man, we all fall short so beautifully.”—Richard Powers, Bewilderment

Commas Can Be Complicated, But Here’s One Simple Rule

Now you know when to use a comma before and after but. Remember to use a comma before but only when you’re connecting two independent clauses, and you’ll be good to go!

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When it comes to commas, are you supposed to put one before or after “but”? We know how tricky comma placement can seem, which is why we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll teach you when to use a comma before “but” and when to put one after. With our lessons, tips, and examples, you’ll be placing commas like a pro in no time.

Things You Should Know

Use a comma before “but” in a compound sentence to separate 2 independent clauses.
Place a comma after “but” if an interrupting phrase or word (such as «of course» or «in fact») follows it.
Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction—remember them with the acronym FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

1
Place a comma in front of “but” if a sentence has 2 independent clauses. An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence because it includes a subject and verb.^[1] Take a look at your sentence, and underline the phrases before and after the “but.” Can these phrases be read as separate complete sentences? If so, use a comma before the “but.”
- Correct: Jacob saw the movie, but his friend read the book.^[2]
- Incorrect: Jacob saw the movie but his friend read the book.
- “Jacob saw the movie” and “his friend read the book” make sense by themselves, meaning they are independent clauses.
- Combining a comma and “but” creates a compound sentence, also known as a sentence with two independent clauses.^[3]
2
Don’t use a comma if a sentence has a dependent clause. A dependent clause is an incomplete thought as it lacks a subject and/or verb.^[4] Break your sentence into two parts: the phrase before the “but” and the phrase after the “but.” If both phrases can’t be sentences on their own, then they are dependent clauses and a comma isn’t needed.
- Correct: The puppy is small but potty trained.
- Incorrect: The puppy is small, but potty trained.
- Although “The puppy is small” could be a separate sentence, “potty trained” is a dependent clause because it doesn’t have a subject.

Use a comma after “but” if an interrupter follows it. An interrupter is a word or phrase that appears in the middle of an independent clause (such as “of course,” “on the other hand,” “in fact,” and “however.”). This word or phrase could be omitted from the sentence but is used for emphasis.^[5] In this case, a comma is used after the “but” and final word in the interrupting phrase to signify that the clause is separate from the rest of the sentence.
- Correct: But, of course, I wanted to go to the party with Edith.
- In this example, “of course” is the interrupter, as the sentence can also be read as “But I wanted to go to the party with Edith.”
- Correct: I want to go to Germany, but, on the other hand, I’d miss you terribly.
- In this instance, a comma is before and after “but” because the sentence has 2 independent clauses and “on the other hand” is an interrupter.
- If a sentence doesn’t have an interrupter, don’t put a comma after the “but,” as that would make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

A comma is used before “but” because it’s a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are the glue that holds your sentence together. In other words, they’re words that join words, phrases, and clauses into one sentence.^[6] These words can be remembered with the acronym FANBOYS, which stands for for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. A comma is always placed in front of these words in a compound sentence that has 2 independent clauses.^[7]
- For: She bought an apple, for she wanted a snack.^[8]
- And: Nikki lives in Florida, and she goes to Disney World every weekend.
- Nor: Will doesn’t like broccoli, nor does he like eating Brussels sprouts.
- But: The lesson was hard, but we all managed to pass the test.
- Or: We can order pizza, or we can go out to eat.
- Yet: The movie has good reviews, yet my friends and I didn’t like the movie.
- So: I broke my foot over the weekend, so I can’t take the stairs.

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hey there,
Is there actually a rule about using But at the beginning of sentences. I remember being told in school that it should never be done ( like Basoonery’s point about the Oxford Comma) but of course see it everywhere. Is there an actual grammatical rule or is it just a question of style?

I’m pretty sure it’s a rule that «But» cannot be used at the beginning of a sentence, but as you said, many people disregard it.

Conjunctions at the start of sentences are to be used with caution.
As a general rule of thumb, beginners in English should avoid them.
In practice, you will find that many, if not most, experienced English writers will start sentences with conjunctions.

If these forums were to ban the use of conjunctions at the start of sentences, a very large proportion of my posts would have to go.

In other words, there is a guideline for beginners that cautions against starting a sentence with but. It is not a grammatical rule.

If you studied science, you may remember being taught at first that an atom was the smallest indivisible particle of matter. Then when you learned more you discovered electrons, protons and neutrons.

Enough knowledge for you to survive a few years.

Then along came lots more sub-atomic particles and wave theories and cats in boxes.

English is rather like that. There are models of usage that are appropriate for each level of development. Then you discover that the model was a partial model and you learn something new — for example that is is entirely normal in English to begin a sentence with a conjunction.

yeah that makes sense. As far as I remember it was just in primary school that the teacher would insist on such models. Ta!

The «rule» had a purpose.

Beginning writers often keep on going without considering the structure of their sentences and introduce new concepts within sentences but never think of the risks of skating without the proper protective equipment and insist on eating their peas with honey on their knives instead of carefully polishing their glasses and making sure they use the correct spoon for each course.

Then they break up the run-on sentences with punctuation. The result is fractured sense and dreadful sentences. And many of the sentences begin with conjunctions simply because the word before the conjunction concluded what they thought was a sentence-worth. But do not despair.

When you have mastered the art of using capital letters at the beginning of sentences, you too might be considered fluent enough to begin a sentence with But

Cheeky! Both my punctuation and spelling tend to be pretty desperate alright but that’s why I’m here

Mary Therés,
Stay awhile and you’ll be able to mix metaphors just as well as Panjandrum….skating over to the buffet table to get some honey and peas on my knife.

However much you may have been told of rules and their supposed sanctity, many of them are nothing but stylistic conventions, some very useful, as Panj has pointed out, and others just hand-me-downs that are ragged around the knees.

I have an English-major friend that insist it’s always, 100% wrong to use ‘and’ or ‘but’ at the beginning of sentences. I’ve wrangled with her for YEARS!

I think everything that needs explaining has been explained; I just wanted to add my two cents in.

I think everything that needs explaining has been explained; I just wanted to add my two cents in.

And that, as they say, is the end of that.

I have an English-major friend that insist it’s always, 100% wrong to use ‘and’ or ‘but’ at the beginning of sentences. I’ve wrangled with her for YEARS!

I think everything that needs explaining has been explained; I just wanted to add my two cents in.

Tell your friend, ‘Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.’

(Bear in mind though that this quote is attributed to Douglas Bader who broke the rules on low-level aerobatics and ending up having both legs amputated… )

But don’t forget that he also become a very good golfer afterwards, married the girl he wanted, had a nice career in the RAF, crashed another airplane and lived happily ever after.
Pass the peas and honey, please, Winklepicker.

Pass the peas and honey, please, Winklepicker.

I’ve done it all my life, Cuchu.

For your continued edification, just google «History of English,» or «English grammar.»

As we are being very precise and specific in our advice, why not just google «Which came first—the language or the grammarians?»

I also had it drilled into my head since grammar school that it was definitely a «no no» to use either and or but at the beginning of a (written) sentence. Although I might use either or both in emails or personal correspondence, I try to avoid it on the English only forum.

But I’m glad that the subject came up so that members who are doing writing assignments for class will know that conjunctions at the beginning of sentences probably won’t be acceptable to their English professors.

In the last but one, him would no doubt have been defended by the writer, since the full form would be he whom, as an attraction to the vanished whom.

But such attraction is not right

; if he alone is felt to be uncomfortable, whom should not be omitted; or, in this exalted context, it might be he that.

emphasis added.

Take a guess as to the author of the quoted material.

It was one H.W. Fowler!

http://www.bartleby.com/116/201.html

gaer

I also had it drilled into my head since grammar school that it was definitely a «no no» to use either and or but at the beginning of a (written) sentence. Although I might use either or both in emails or personal correspondence, I try to avoid it on the English only forum.

But I’m glad that the subject came up so that members who are doing writing assignments for class will know that conjunctions at the beginning of sentences probably won’t be acceptable to their English professors.

A Christmas Carol

Do a search for «But». Make sure you mark «match case». I believer there are nearly ten sentences starting with but, and that’s only considering the narrative.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

At least three «but’s» in the first chapter. (Click on chapter one.)

Gullivers-Travels

Nice in the first chapter.

I wonder what these gentlemen were taught in school? Surely such «poor» writing could not have been acceptable to their English teachers.

Gaer

But shouldn’t be use as the start of the sentence; it makes a fragment. But denotes a subordinate clause and needs a main clause to explain its meaning.

However, it is possible to use but that way as a style method; it is a way to put emphasis on a subject.

But shouldn’t be use as the start of the sentence; it makes a fragment. But denotes a subordinate clause and needs a main clause to explain its meaning.

However, it is possible to use but that way as a style method; it is a way to put emphasis on a subject.

Okay, so what exactly is the difference between «but» and «although» or even «yet» or «nevertheless?» (Okay, sometimes there is a difference.) Pan is essentially right about why the rule is there, but I’ll agree that it’s perfectly acceptable to use «but» once you know the language (and the difference). The difference between the above is sometimes an artificial grammatical distinction and «but» is at times the most direct and best word to use. Plain talk, as opposed to high falutin’. (Next thread?)

That said, I’ll tell you a story. A couple of years ago I took the GRE’s. I got a perfect score on the verbal. ( I guessed at least once and got lucky—though I don’t consider it luck so much as good logic.) They had just instituted a written element. Essays. (Now, [But. But «but» wouldn’t work as well as «now» here. Close, but no cigar] I could write that just as well by saying: They had just introduced a written element: essays.) I wrote elegant, nuanced arguments, and got a sub-par score. I started a sentence or two with «but.» Might have had a sentence fragment or two in there for effect.

I suspect I received a poor score due to grammar robots.

That’s life.
Can’t deny it.
Lack of judgement on my part.

Barnaby

I hate to see » But» at the start of a sentence and tend to use «however» instead. I am still dogged by the very fierce English Teacher I had for my «O» levels at school and every time I write «But» I can hear her terrifying tones.( She wouldn’t let us use a knife like a pen either, so that is another of my pet hates) Oh the baggage we pick up as children!!!

Send that fierce English Teacher a pen, some honey and peas, and a copy of Fowler’s

Modern English Usage

, together with instructions to find every sentence Henry Fowler began with but.
There is one example a few posts above this one. Her discomfort should help attone for that she has caused you.

But shouldn’t be use as the start of the sentence; it makes a fragment. But denotes a subordinate clause and needs a main clause to explain its meaning.

However, it is possible to use but that way as a style method; it is a way to put emphasis on a subject.

You have had rules and pseudo-rules drilled into you. But there is hope! You seem to at least accept that there are stylistic grounds on which to base the use of but at the start of a sentence. It doesn’t necessarily make a fragment.

gaer

hi

I hate to see » But» at the start of a sentence and tend to use «however» instead. I am still dogged by the very fierce English Teacher I had for my «O» levels at school and every time I write «But» I can hear her terrifying tones.( She wouldn’t let us use a knife like a pen either, so that is another of my pet hates) Oh the baggage we pick up as children!!!

Have you look at the links I posted? I wonder if anyone has.

Are you saying that you hate to see «but» at the beginning of a sentence by Dickens? Or by Oscar Wilde?

And doesn’t that make you wonder if you have ever noticed what is really used by great authors?

The fact is that we are often so brain-washed by pedantic nit-wits that it blinds us to what is actually used by people who are masters of the English language.

Gaer

The thing is, gaer, that well used Buts are completely transparent.
Carelessly used Buts stick out like sore thumbs.

gaer

Macbeth:

But I am faint, my gashes cry for help.
But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
But wherefore could not I pronounce ‘Amen’?
But let the frame of things disjoint, both the
worlds suffer,

What a pity. If only Shakespeare had had proper instruction, he might have been a good writer.

Gaer

gaer

The thing is, gaer, that well used Buts are completely transparent.
Carelessly used Buts stick out like sore thumbs.

You have a good point. Apparently all the authors I mentioned in previous links were so subtle about their «rule-breaking» that few people have «caught» them

breaking

the «rules».

Gaer

Okay, so what exactly is the difference between «but» and «although» or even «yet» or «nevertheless?» (Okay, sometimes there is a difference.) Pan is essentially right about why the rule is there, but I’ll agree that it’s perfectly acceptable to use «but» once you know the language (and the difference). The difference between the above is sometimes an artificial grammatical distinction and «but» is at times the most direct and best word to use. Plain talk, as opposed to high falutin’. (Next thread?)

That said, I’ll tell you a story. A couple of years ago I took the GRE’s. I got a perfect score on the verbal. ( I guessed at least once and got lucky—though I don’t consider it luck so much as good logic.) They had just instituted a written element. Essays. (Now, [But. But «but» wouldn’t work as well as «now» here. Close, but no cigar] I could write that just as well by saying: They had just introduced a written element: essays.) I wrote elegant, nuanced arguments, and got a sub-par score. I started a sentence or two with «but.» Might have had a sentence fragment or two in there for effect.

I suspect I received a poor score due to grammar robots.

That’s life.
Can’t deny it.
Lack of judgement on my part.

Barnaby

1. It is important to master the language; however, it is not the only element one needs to use BUT as the beginning of the sentence. The understanding of the meaning behind the sentence and the reason for using it is equally important. Whenever I use BUT as the beginning of a sentence for school, even though the sentiment may be right, it is always rejected with the reason of being a FRAGMENT. It is better to be that way I think. This is so that when one is developing one’s style, it can be based on the correct grammar.

2. But, yet, although and nevertheless maybe similar meaning-wise sometimes; however, the uses in a sentence are different. But, yet and although are conjunctions. But and yet are used to denote a turning point in a sentence. Thus, I think it makes more sense to be used after the main clause, separated by a comma. Although denotes an adverb clause and is commonly used in the reversed position, where the subordinate clause goes first, followed by a comma and the main clause. However, when although is after the main clause, the comma is not used. Nevertheless is a conjunctive adverb. It has be to separated from the main clause by a semicolon or a period.

3. I don’t understand why you quoted me when your posting is talking about Panj’s explanation. Your posting also mentioned your GRE story, but I do not understand what you are trying to convey. Moreover, I suspect a underlying sarcasm.

4. I would rephrase the sentence for the newly implemented essay. Although they had just instituted a written element, I still got a perfect score on the verbal.

You have had rules and pseudo-rules drilled into you. But there is hope! You seem to at least accept that there are stylistic grounds on which to base the use of but at the start of a sentence. It doesn’t necessarily make a fragment.

I am just stating the rule.
There is no more to it.
I accept fully the stylistic component of the language.
I use but fragments way too much.
But I don’t know.
Maybe I am wrong.
But wait, it is good to use but to express one’s sentiment in different ways.
I like to give sudden changes in my writings to catch the reader.
But not everyone agrees with me.

gaer

I am just stating the rule.

No. You are stating «a» rule.

Yes, there is.

I accept fully the stylistic component of

~~the~~

language.

If you are talking about «English», then it should be «the English language». If you mean «language» in general, then there is no need for an article there.

I use

~~but fragments~~

«but fagments» way too much.
But I don’t know.
Maybe I am wrong.
But wait, it is good to use

~~but~~

«but» to express one’s sentiment in different ways.
I like to

~~give~~

make sudden changes in my

~~writings~~

writing to catch the reader.
But not everyone agrees with me.

What is your point?
Anyone can write several short sentences.
I can too.
It’s highly unusual.
Normally it doesn’t work.
Not very well.
You do not need to use «but».
The monotony is boring without that little word.

Gaer

No. You are stating «a» rule.

I am state the rule for but.

No. There isn’t more to my stating the rule.

If you are talking about «English», then it should be «the English language». If you mean «language» in general, then there is no need for an article there.

What forum are we in here?

What is your point?
Anyone can write several short sentences.
I can too.
It’s highly unusual.
Normally it doesn’t work.
Not very well.
You do not need to use «but».
The monotony is boring without that little word.

Gaer

I am not talking to you nor am I replying to your postings in that posting.
Short sentences are effective in conveying brief ideas.
It is not highly unusual.
Even your short sentences give complete meaning and clearly state your point view.

I use but fragments way too much is another use of but. Being an experienced English speaker you should know that.
I like to give sudden changes [to my stories] in my writings (as in all the things I have written).
These are all legitimate uses.

I think the progress of this thread demonstrates with exquisite precision the way in which sentences beginning with conjunctions can be a transparent and elegant part of an intelligent discourse.
And that the guidelines suggesting avoidance of this practice are well-advised.

It’s fine when but means however and and means furthermore.

Welcome to the forum, Rover.

Do you mean all the But sentences so far in this thread are fine except possibly «But of course»?

«But denotes a subordinate clause and needs a main clause to explain its meaning.»
Not (always) so, I’m afraid. «But,» like «and,» is often a coordinating conjunction, joining two fully fledged main clauses. E.g., «Prescriptive grammarians are found in front of many classrooms, but most of them are egregiously wrong.» If you substitute a period for the «but,» you have two perfectly complete sentences.
See http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/coordinatingconjunction.htm

So is the original question now resolved???? :rolleyes:

ewie

Yes, it is.

Yes, there

a rule (everyone is free to ignore rules).
And/But yes, it

a question of style (as demonstrated by Shakespeare, et al.)

My feeling is that academics are becoming more and more open to the idea that one can start a sentence with the word «but». But this doesn’t mean that everyone thinks it’s correct.

Is there any reasonable way one can defend beginning a sentence with «but» to one who thinks it’s unequivocally «incorrect»?

I do it at times to break up the length of my sentences. Is that bad?

I think it’s good, especially when it cuts unruly sentences down.

Point out that they haven’t the slightest idea what they’re talking about. Sentence-initial ‘but’ always has been Standard English — it would be helpful here to have a list of uses of it by Dickens, Jane Austen, Johnson, and so on, but I haven’t got one to hand. Instead, I can look up Fowler’s Modern English Usage under the word but, where he discusses a number of points of grammar about the word at great length, but none of them is about its being in initial position. He isn’t even aware of this nonsense to dismiss it. But in the course of his prescriptive grammar advice he writes at one point, ‘But just as I shouldn’t wonder if he didn’t fall in is often heard’; and a little later he offers ‘But Mary decided‘ as a rewriting of a sentence with the word internally. The fake rule against initial position wasn’t even on the radar in 1930.

Don’t give any leeway at all to the ignoramuses who trot out this garbage. Don’t say the rule is changing, or has relaxed. There never was such a rule.

Bravo to entangleddebunker of non-rules. We have discussed this one in a number of prior threads. There are some ignorant pedants abroad in the land (and probably quite a few more at sea) who try to impose their groundless stylistic preferences as «rules».
This particular «rule» is pure hokum.

The Fowler brothers ignored the matter of but at the start of a sentence because there was nothing to discuss.

More recently, it has received some well-deserved attention from Bryan Garner, in

A Dictionary of Modern American Usage.

but. A. Beginning Sentences with. It is a gross canard that beginning a sentence with but is stylistically slipshod. In fact, doing so is highly desirable in any number of contexts, and many stylebooks that discuss the question quite correctly say that but is better than however at the beginning of a sentence.

Garner goes on to quote seven such stylebooks. Here is one of the passages he quotes:

«Of the many myths concerning ‘correct’ English, one of the most persistent is the belief that it is somehow improper to begin a sentence with [and, but, for, or, or not]. The construction is, of course, widely used today and has been widely used for generations, for the very good reason that it is an effective means of achieving coherence between sentences and between larger units of discourse, such as paragraphs.» R.W. Pence & D. W. Emery, A grammar of Present-Day English

Last edited: Jan 20, 2010

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It’s a question I often heard when I was teaching: Can a sentence start with but?

The answer is simple: Yes. Of course.

For years I offered $100 in cash to any student who could find the Don’t start a sentence with but rule in a grammar book from a reputable publisher. My librarian friends would invariably report a run on grammar books for the next couple of days.

Despite frantic efforts to claim the money, no student ever succeeded, for a simple reason: That “rule” doesn’t exist. Even Fowler’s Modern English Usage, the ultimate authority on grammar, says there’s no such rule. (See for yourself: Click on the link to read page 191, where you’ll find a discussion about starting sentences with but.)

Good writers start sentences with but all the time. To prove my point, a few minutes ago I found this sentence at the New York Times website in the second paragraph of a news story: “But Republicans still oppose many aspects of the bill, and a rough floor fight lies ahead.”

“Ah, yes,” you’re saying. “But that just proves how writing has deteriorated.”

I hear you. You’re sure you won’t find sentences starting with but in the Gettysburg Address, or FDR’s Inaugural Address, or Shakespeare, or the Declaration of Independence, or classic books like Pride and Prejudice and Little Women, or examples of fine prose like the King James Bible. Everybody knows that, right?

Wrong. Read on: I’ve assembled sentences starting with but from a variety of writers, old and new. For good measure, I included sentences from several authorities on good writing: Lynn Truss, Strunk and White, Theodore Bernstein, H. D. Fowler, and H. L. Mencken. (You might be interested to know that Princeton University did a study and found that professional writers start 10% of their sentences with “but” and “and.”)

But don’t take my word for it. Go to your bookcase and leaf through a couple of your favorite books. Pull out today’s newspaper and scan the front page. Turn the pages of your favorite magazine. Go to www.Bartleby.com, which has full texts of many classic books, and check out what famous writers from the past have done.

Here’s what you’ll discover: Not only do professional writers start sentences with but – they do it often. You won’t have to search far for examples. Happy hunting! (To learn more about punctuating sentences with but, click here and read about Comma Rule 2.)

Examples of Sentences Starting with But:

Eats, Shoots and Leaves, Lynn Truss, p. 7:

“But best of all, I think, is the simple advice given by the style book of a national newspaper: that punctuation is ‘a courtesy designed to help readers to understand a story without stumbling.’”

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J. K. Rowling, p. 3:

“But on the edge of town, drills were driven out of his mind by something else.”

The Associated Press Stylebook (2007), p. 326:

“But use the comma if its omission would slow comprehension…”

Watch Your Language, Theodore Bernstein, p. 4:

“But when he is writing for the newspaper he must fit himself into the newspaper’s framework.”

Preface to Watch Your Language, Jacques Barzun:

“But I am not inviting the reader to witness a tender of compliments over what may seem like a mere byproduct of professional skill.”

The American Language: An Inquiry into the Development of English in the United States, H.L.Mencken (1921):

“But its chief excuse is its human interest, for it prods deeply into national idiosyncrasies and ways of mind, and that sort of prodding is always entertaining.”

The Elements of Style, Strunk and White (1918 edition):

“But whether the interruption be slight or considerable, he must never omit one comma and leave the other.”

The King’s English, H.D. Fowler (1908 edition):

“But if, instead of his Saxon percentage’s being the natural and undesigned consequence of his brevity (and the rest), those other qualities have been attained by his consciously restricting himself to Saxon, his pains will have been worse than wasted; the taint of preciosity will be over all he has written.”

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott, page 1:

“We can’t do much, but we can make our little sacrifices, and ought to do it gladly. But I’m afraid I don’t.” And Meg shook her head, as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted.

Epistle Dedicatory to Man and Superman, Bernard Shaw, 1903, p. 2:

“But you must not expect me to adopt your inexplicable, fantastic, petulant, fastidious ways….”

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen, p. 1:

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”
Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.
“But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.”

FDR, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933:

“But it may be that an unprecedented demand and need for undelayed action may call for temporary departure from that normal balance of public procedure.”

The Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln (1863):

“But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.”

Hamlet, William Shakespeare, Ii:

Horatio: So have I heard and do in part believe it.
But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad,
Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastward hill.

King James Bible, Luke 6:44 – 45 (Sermon on the Mount)

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Cashel Byron’s Profession, Bernard Shaw:

CASHEL. I go. The meanest lad on thy estate Would not betray me thus. But ’tis no matter.

P.S. I have sentences starting with but in all my books (I’ve published eleven of them). Did you notice that I started a sentence with but in this blog? Here it is: But don’t take my word for it.

It’s good advice, incidentally. Start doing your own investigation of these hallowed (but non-existent) rules.

My husband once had an editor who thought because was a bad word. Whenever he used because in an article, she’d call him and insist that he take it out. It never occurred to her to check the dictionary or see whether real-world writers use the word because (which, of course, they all do regularly). Made her look foolish, didn’t it?

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But is a conjunction.

But as a linking word

We use but to link items which are the same grammatical type (coordinating conjunction). But is used to connect ideas that contrast.

main idea

but

contrast

I love fruit

They’ve bought a house in Manchester

I am allergic to strawberries.

they still haven’t sold their house in London.

The phrase but not is common:

The room has been painted but not in the colour that I asked for.

I’d love to go for a pizza with you but not tonight.

But meaning ‘except’

But means ‘except’ when it is used after words such as all, everything/nothing, everyone/no one, everybody/nobody:

The cleaning is done now, all but the floors. They still have to be washed.

I arrived at the airport and realised that I’d brought everything but my passport!

Everyone but Anna has checked in.

Nobody but the receptionist was left in the lobby of the hotel.

We use object pronouns after but (me, you, him, us, etc.) even in subject position:

Everybody but me has paid.

No one but him would get a job like that.

In formal situations, we can use subject pronouns after but:

Everyone but she knew how the drama was going to end.

But for + reason

But for is used to introduce the reason why something didn’t happen:

But for the traffic, I would have been here an hour ago. (The traffic was very heavy – if it weren’t for the traffic, I’d have been here an hour ago.)

They would have been badly injured but for the fact that they were wearing seat belts. (They were wearing seat belts – if it weren’t for the fact that they were wearing seat belts, they would have been badly injured.)

All but meaning ‘almost completely’

I had all but finished the essay when the computer crashed and I lost it all.

His parents had all but given up hope of seeing him again.

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Оборот but for (если бы не) позволяет заметно сократить размер условного предложения (второго и третьего типов), не изменяя смысла сказанного. Этот оборот как бы заменяет условную часть предложения. В основной части может употребляться как Would/Could/Might + инфинитив, так и Would/Could/Might + Have (перфектный инфинитив) + Done.

После but for употребляется либо существительное (местоимение, имя собственное), либо герундий. Единственным условием для употребления but for является четко выраженный контекст, иначе смысл сказанного будет мало понятен окружающим.

But for the traffic jams I would leave home an hour later. (Second Coditional) — Если бы не пробки на дорогах, я бы выходил из дома на час позже.

But for the rain we would have already gone for a walk. (Third Conditional) — Если бы не дождь, мы бы уже ушли гулять.

Оборот but for обычно ставится в начале предложения, но он также может стоять в середине.

They would have gone bankrupt last year but for your financial help. — Они бы обанкротились в прошлом году, если бы не ваша финансовая помощь.

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Today, I am here to set you free from one of the shibboleths of grammar. You will be liberated! I certainly was. At school, we were taught you should never, ever, under any circumstances start a sentence with a conjunction. That rules out starting sentences with either “and” or “but” when writing. I faithfully learned the rule. I became positively angry when I read books in which otherwise excellent writers seemed to make this faux pas. How could they be so sloppy?

One day, I decided to settle the matter once and for all. I would find an authoritative reference to back up what I had learned, and I would send it to someone who had just argued you can start a sentence with “but.”

Being Wrong Can Make You Happy

Once I started to check, I quickly realized I was going to be proved wrong. People, including some of the greatest writers of all time, have been starting sentences with “and” and “but” for hundreds of years. Of course, there are style guides that discourage it, but it’s perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with “but” when writing. I was thrilled! That very day, I started peppering my writing with sentences starting with conjunctions. But one shouldn’t go overboard! See what I did there? Hah!

Using any stylistic quirk too frequently spoils your writing. By all means, start sentences with “but” from time to time, but remember that “but” also belongs after a comma. I did it again, didn’t I?

When Should You Consider Starting a Sentence With “But”?

“Contrary to what your high school English teacher told you, there’s no reason not to begin a sentence with but or and; in fact, these words often make a sentence more forceful and graceful. They are almost always better than beginning with however or additionally.” (Professor Jack Lynch, Associate Professor of English, Rutgers University, New Jersey)

Thank you, professor! I’ll admit to using “however,” but being lazy, I really do prefer the word “but” to begin a sentence when given a choice. “Additionally” is just awful, and I flinch every time I start a sentence with it. It seems so pompous!

The professor also confirms starting with the conjunction can make your writing more forceful. Remember, you don’t always want to be forceful. Sometimes sentence flow is more appropriate. But a choppy “but” at the start of a sentence certainly does seem to add emphasis when that’s what you’re looking for.

People Are Going to Argue This With You

Just as I once was a firm believer in the “never start a sentence with and or but” non-rule, you’ll come across enslaved souls who have been taught the very same non-rule. Where can they turn for confirmation and comfort? The Bible is always a good place. Refer them to Genesis Chapter 1 for sentences starting with “and.”

For a sentence starting with “but,” you may have to read a little further – all the way to Genesis 8:1: “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.”

Looking around online, I see some arguing that using the Bible as a work of English literature is pushing the envelope. I beg to differ, but perhaps as the world’s greatest bestseller, it’s a bit too commercial for them. Let’s take them to the real authority: the notoriously stuffy and pedantic, Fowler’s Modern English Usage. It’s seen as the authoritative book on English Grammar, and if they won’t believe it, they’re never going to believe anyone.

If they’re trying to find a comeback, you can always help them out. But they won’t be impressed with the reference you give them because I’m ready to bet you anything they’ve never have heard of Quackenbos!

“A sentence should not commence with the conjunctions and, for, but, or however…. ” (George Payn Quackenbos, An Advanced Course of Composition and Rhetoric, 1854)

Let’s sum up that argument, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. We have the Bible, a host of brilliant writers, and Fowler’s Modern English Usage vs… Quackenbos. I’ll see your Quackenbos and I’ll raise you an Albert Einstein. Oops, we’ve gone from law to poker. Please pardon the mixed metaphors. Of course, Shakespeare also occasionally mixed metaphors, but we’ll go into that another time, shall we?

Why Were Students Taught This Non-Rule Rule?

Why were we taught this non-rule rule about not starting sentences with conjunctions? Several authorities seem to think it was done to prevent school kids from writing as they often talk:

“I went to my friend’s house yesterday. And we decided to go to the mall. And while we were there we saw a whole bunch of our friends. And they were just hanging out like we were. And because we didn’t have any money that was all we could do, really.”

“But then John said he’d had a birthday, and we could all go for ice creams. But when we got to the ice-cream parlor, he found that he had left his wallet at home. But that didn’t stop us from having a good time together while teasing John that he owed us an ice-cream.”

You have to admit, that’s a bit much. So to close, we quote Oscar Wilde, “Everything in moderation, including moderation.”

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