You should never start a sentence with the words “and” or “but”—never.
If that was drilled into your head at some point during your elementary school English lessons, then you’re not alone. Most of us were taught this rule in school—and we followed it with every writing assessment, research paper, and book report we ever wrote.
So, if it’s improper to start a sentence with the words “and” or “but” then why do so many prolific, notable writers do it? As do bloggers, journalists, and copywriters. It might seem like a rebellious move—but the truth is, it’s not really “against the rules” at all.
Telling It Straight
The truth is, it’s okay to start a sentence with the words “and” or “but”—if you do it correctly. After all, there is a time and place for everything, right?
First, let’s take a quick jump down memory lane to those Schoolhouse Rock! tapes you watched when the substitute teacher didn’t know the subject. Ever had the tune to “Conjunction Junction” stuck in your head for no apparent reason? You’re not alone.
However, after so many years, do you remember what the function of a conjunction really is? It might seem obvious—a conjunction connects two thoughts or ideas. “And” and “but” are called coordinating conjunctions and are a part of a much longer list of words.
There are seven coordinating conjunctions:
- and
- but
- or
- nor
- for
- so
- yet
However, the ones we were specifically taught to avoid starting a sentence with are “and” and “but.” The good news is, you can rest easy knowing that there is no true grammar rule that says you can’t ever start a sentence with one of these conjunctions.
“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
Why Were We All Taught a Rule that Doesn’t Exist?
Realizing now, ten, twenty, or even thirty years or more later that you were lied to might be frustrating—but your teachers really did have your best interests in mind. While there is no definitive answer as to why we were taught this “rule,” the explanation that makes the most sense was that it was meant to prevent kids from writing the way they talk.
Think about it—have you listened to a child or teenager talk for any extended amount of time? If you have, then you can understand exactly what these teachers were trying to avoid.
If you haven’t—well, these two examples will help provide some insight…
“We wanted to go to get burgers and they weren’t open. But we still got burgers. But we had to go somewhere else to get them. But they weren’t as good as the ones we were going to get.”
“My friend and I went to the beach yesterday. And while we were on the beach, we saw lots of seagulls and other birds. And this one seagull stole some guy’s fries while he was trying to eat them! And it scared the guy so much, he jumped nearly ten feet in the air!”
It’s one thing to verbally hear a story told in this fashion. But reading it is an entirely different experience. No matter what the word is, you never want to start too many consecutive sentences with the same word. The overuse of “and” and “but” in spoken English is likely the main reason our teachers forbid us from starting a sentence with them in our writing!
When Is It Okay to Start a Sentence with “And” or “But”?
So, if there is a time and place for everything—where is the proper time and place to use “and” or “but” at the beginning of your sentence?
The first thing you want to remember is that you’re using this word to connect two thoughts—so your phrase should be able to stand on its own. This means it has a clearly defined subject and verb.
If you remove your conjunction and you suddenly have a sentence fragment that doesn’t seem to make sense, then you need to rework your wording. Perhaps this means making your two sentences one—using “and” or “but” with a comma, rather than a period.
You should also take into consideration what you are writing. Different types of writing call for different approaches. The use of “and” or “but” at the start of a sentence sometimes brings a sense of informality. It might be right for your blog posts, whereas more formal coordinating conjunctions like “additionally” or “however” might read better in a white paper.
The bottom line is though, it’s never truly off limits. Sometimes it’s more impactful to be so precise and direct.
When Should You Follow the Old “English Class Rule”?
In most business writing—especially digital marketing copy like blog posts, emails, and social media posts—you shouldn’t stress using “and” or “but” to start your sentence. No one is going to point it out. No one is going to laugh at you. In fact, someone else who doesn’t already know the truth might think you’re the rebel for being so daring in the first place!
But there are times when you’ll want to follow this mock rule. Data-driven content—case studies, statistic focused white papers, text book content, these are places where you might not only see less opportunity to start a sentence with a conjunction, but also where it could be beneficial to avoid doing so.
If you’ve already got years of practice avoiding starting your sentence with one of these words, then it might take some retraining to find yourself starting a sentence this way. On the other hand, following this rule helps you to expand your vocabulary and use other words and phrases to get your points across. (I could have used “but” to start that last sentence; «on the other hand» adds variety while also giving a stronger sense of weighing up options.)
Breathe Easy Knowing You’re Not the Only Misled Student
It’s been years now since teachers started drumming into students that they should never—ever—start their sentence with the words “and” or “but.” If you’re one of likely millions who was taught this lie during your schooldays, don’t feel bad. This is just another case of a few people creating a problem for the rest of us.
Since teachers didn’t think they could trust some students to be more creative in telling their stories, they restricted everyone. Sure, it worked—you’ll hardly come across something written on the internet with repetitive starts, especially not “and” or “but”—but at what cost? Many of us were following a grammar rule that doesn’t exist—and probably got irrationally mad that editors missed such a common mistake again and again.
Can you already feel the weight lifted? If you’re one of many who has been avoiding using “and” or “but” to start a sentence, don’t hold back! It’s the freedom that comes with finding out a constraint you’ve worked around for years is no longer an issue.
Try using this new technique in your writing to create more direct and powerful statements.
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Can you start a sentence with but? English teachers love to tell us it’s against the rules. But there is nothing wrong with starting a sentence with but.
As you grow as a writer, you learn that many of the rules you were taught in school aren’t really rules at all. Can you start a sentence with but? Your third-grade teacher probably told you this was absolutely verboten. However, this is an example of a common rule that is misleading. There is nothing wrong with starting a sentence with but or any other coordinating conjunction. In fact, authorities as lofty as The Elements of Style, The Chicago Style Manual, and William Shakespeare all begin sentences with the word “but.” In the case of the former two examples for analyzing a sentence, they also overtly say that it is permissible.
Contents
- Why It Is OK to Start a Sentence with But?
- What Are Coordinating Conjunctions?
- What Are Independent Clauses?
- How Do You Avoid Sentence Fragments?
- Can But Go at the Beginning of a Sentence in Good Writing?
- Is It OK in Business Writing?
- Where Did the Rule Against Starting a Sentence with But Come From?
- The Final Word on Can You Start a Sentence with But
- FAQ About Starting a Sentence with But
- Author
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Why It Is OK to Start a Sentence with But?
“But” is conjunction. According to sources including Merriam-Webster, conjunction is used to join words, phrases, clauses, and sentences. Because of this, it is perfectly proper to use “but” to begin a sentence that continues an idea expressed in the previous one.
What Are Coordinating Conjunctions?
We use coordinating conjunctions to connect words and phrases together. The seven coordinating conjunctions in the English language are:
- And
- But
- For
- Nor
- Or
- So
- Yet
It is perfectly allowable to start a sentence with any of these, as long as you are connecting two independent clauses.
What Are Independent Clauses?
An independent clause is one that forms a complete sentence on its own. Examples of independent clauses that are joined by coordinating conjunctions include:
- I got to the station early. But I still missed my train.
- She won’t eat at Italian restaurants. Nor will she try sushi.
- We could go to Paris. Or we could take a flight to Madrid.
How Do You Avoid Sentence Fragments?
As long as the sentence you started with “but” includes both a noun and a verb, the chances that you’ve created a fragment are very low. A sentence fragment lacks one or the other (usually the verb). As long as the first phrase ends in a full stop and the second phrase uses “but” in a logical way, you can’t go wrong.
Examples include:
- I got the promotion. But I still won’t make as much as I need.
- He arrived with seven bags of groceries. But he still forgot the bread.
There are few logical statements in sentences of those forms that would take the form of fragments. If you were to write “He arrived with seven bags of groceries. But the bread.” the reader would be excused for wondering “but the bread what?”
Can But Go at the Beginning of a Sentence in Good Writing?
Yes, absolutely. Good writing, in fact, is made up of sentences that vary in length and word use. Bad writing often suffers from an excess of uniformity rather than a sprinkling of grammar that, although correct, would not be accepted in a beginning language class.
Is It OK in Business Writing?
It’s accepted that business writing is more formal than some other forms. Because of this, there is a reluctance to use grammar that might be seen as overly casual.
However, in actual practice, the choice comes down to the setting and the tone. If other people in your company seem to hew to more stiff and formal language, it might be good to do so, as well. But if they tend to write with less formality, you are free to do so, too.
Where Did the Rule Against Starting a Sentence with But Come From?
According to linguist David Crystal, the rule started with schoolteachers in the 19th century. Many noticed young students habitually starting sentences with conjunctions and attempted to stop this in the interest of creating themes and essays with standalone, independent thoughts and clauses.
But instead of encouraging students to limit the use of these sentence starters, over time, they fell into a habit of banning the words altogether. Because of this, generations of children were taught never to start a sentence with conjunction when no such English grammar rule exists.
The Final Word on Can You Start a Sentence with But
Yes, you absolutely can start a sentence with but. But you need to make sure that the following sentence is not a fragment.
When it comes to using it in a business setting, that is a question of style rather than grammar. Follow the lead of the people in your office and your industry. And if there’s a style guide, that’s even better.
FAQ About Starting a Sentence with But
When can you start a sentence with but?
Any time you are joining a sentence with the one that proceeds it.
Are there times it’s wrong to start a sentence with but?
It’s wrong if your sentence is not a complete sentence. If it is a dependent clause, you should use a piece of punctuation other than a period.
Is it OK to use but at the start of a sentence according to AP Style or Chicago Manual of Style?
Both allow you to use but at the beginning of a sentence.
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As you write your latest assignment and want to begin the next sentence with “but,” your teacher’s voice enters your head. You start trying to think of another way to write what you want to say and wonder, “How do you avoid starting a sentence with ‘but’?”
The simplest way to avoid using “but” at the start of a sentence is to reword the sentence to eliminate the need for the word “but.” You can also replace “but” with an adverb word or phrase like “however,” “On the other hand,” or “though.” You can also combine two contrasting sentences into one compound sentence where “but” would be after a comma in the sentence rather than behind a period.
If you grew up learning English in the United States of America, your grade school teacher probably told you at one point that you should NEVER start a sentence with “but.” Keep reading to find out the different ways you can avoid using “but” at the beginning of a sentence or if you should avoid it at all.
Should You Start a Sentence With “But”?
First, is starting a sentence with “but” wrong? Although many Americans may remember their grade school teachers saying that you should never start a sentence with “but,” a sentence that begins with “but” is not wrong, and there is no rule that exists that says otherwise (source).
In most cases, whether or not you start a sentence with “but” is determined by how formal your writing style is and the preferences of the person receiving the assignment.
If you are writing a research paper for a school assignment or an article for a client, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with their writing guidelines before you start the project.
You can usually use “but” to start a sentence when writing something informal like a personal blog, a post on a social media outlet, or an email.
Note: Be careful with business emails to ensure that your company doesn’t have a specific grammar policy.
Is It Grammatically Correct to Start a Sentence With “But”?
Since there is no grammatical rule stating that you cannot use conjunctions at the beginning of a sentence, it is not grammatically incorrect to start with “but” (source).
Still, suppose you are writing a scholarly journal entry, a scientific essay, a governmental document, or the like. In that case, you may want to avoid starting your sentences with “but” to keep the formality of the piece intact. Again, the issue is one of style more than grammatical accuracy.
With that said, even important documents like our United States Constitution have numerous sentences that start with “but” (source).
When you write “but” at the beginning of a sentence, it contrasts the sentence’s meaning before it. We do the same thing when we use the word “though,” an adverb, at the end of a sentence. In both cases, the writing is usually casual, which we might avoid for more formal business writing.
Is Starting a Sentence With “but” Bad?
Starting a sentence with “but” is certainly not bad. Contrary to popular belief, using “but” at the beginning of a sentence might actually be helpful when writing in a certain style or trying to avoid run-on sentences.
In our early grade school lessons, many of us learned that starting a sentence with a conjunction was taboo and should never be done under any circumstances.
There are no clear reasons why teachers created this non-existent rule. The most common consensus is that teachers wanted their students to avoid writing how they spoke and explore the different ways of writing complex sentences.
Be that as it may, there is simply no foundational backing for this rule, and the answer to why teachers taught students this way is shrouded in speculation (source).
How Do You Avoid Beginning a Sentence With “But”?
As I mentioned before, if you are writing a more formal piece that requires you to find clever ways to avoid using “but” at the start of a sentence, there are a few different ways you can do it.
Reword the Sentence to Eliminate the Use of “but”
If you don’t want to use “but” at the beginning of a sentence, perhaps you can eliminate the word from the sentence altogether. Changing the focus of the second sentence so that it does not directly contrast the sentence before it can help you bypass the use of the word.
Take a look at the following example:
Taking a picture of the sunrise is something my father does a lot. But, for me, waking up early enough to get a picture of my own is a challenge.
If you were only having a casual conversation with someone, this might be how you would make this statement. However, if you were trying to avoid using “but” at the beginning of the sentence, you could rephrase the second sentence to remove “but” completely.
Taking a picture of the sunrise is something my father does a lot. It is just too bad that waking up early enough to get a picture of my own is such a challenge.
The message is the same in both examples, even though we rephrased it.
Use Adverbs to Replace the “but” at the Beginning of the Sentence
If rephrasing your sentence won’t work, you can avoid using “but” at the beginning of a sentence by switching the conjunction with an adverb word or phrase like “however,” “on the other hand,” or “though.”
For example, instead of writing a sentence like this:
My wife and I were thinking about trying to have another baby soon. But then again, my wife says the kid we already have is a handful, so we’ll wait.
You could replace the “but” in the sentence with an adverb to get this:
My wife and I were thinking about having another baby soon. However, my wife says the kid we already have is a handful, so we’ll wait.
Combine Two Contrasting Sentences Into a Compound Sentence
If you write two contrasting sentences and want to avoid using “but” at the beginning of your second sentence, you could always combine the two sentences to form a compound sentence.
Coordinating conjunctions like “but,” “and,” “or,” and “so” are words designed specifically to help you form a compound sentence and are one of the easiest ways to avoid starting your sentence with “but.”
Take a look at this example sentence:
We were all excited about getting on the rollercoaster ride. But my little brother was too afraid to get on when we got there.
Again, if you were saying this to someone, this would probably be the natural way it would come out.
Now see the change in the revised sentence:
We were all excited about getting on the rollercoaster ride, but my little brother was too afraid to get on when we got there.
The two sentences still convey the same message, but it flows more smoothly and is a little more formal in its delivery than two separate sentences. The revised sentence is also barely different from the original, making this method of avoiding sentences that start with “but” one of the best (source).
What Is the Word “but” and How Do We Use It?
You have used “but” in a sentence at least once, no matter your English proficiency level. For example, if you have ever said to someone, “I want to, but I can’t” or “I’m on the way, but I’ll be a little late,” you have successfully used “but” in a sentence.
It is usually one of the first sentence structures you learn to make and one of the first words your instructor will teach you to avoid. We have all used it, but using the word and understanding it are two completely different things.
To understand how to use “but,” we have to break it down, starting with what type of word it is. It can be a preposition, adverb, and, in rare cases, even a noun or pronoun. However, especially for our purposes, it is usually a conjunction.
What Is a Conjunction?
The word “but” is a type of conjunction. A conjunction is a type of word that we can use to hold together two words, two independent or dependent sentences, or two phrases or clauses.
According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, there are three types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions.
What Is a Coordinating Conjunction?
Coordinating conjunctions usually work to bring two independent words, sentences, or phrases together into one sentence. The seven coordinating conjunctions are “or,” “so,” “for,” “nor,” “and,” “but,” and “yet.”
By coordinating two seemingly independent phrases to work together, coordinating conjunctions can smooth out choppy sentences for an easier read.
Here are some examples demonstrating how coordinating conjunctions can smooth out a sentence.
Example 1:
“I was thinking about not coming. I’m here.”
If you look at this example’s structure, the short, choppy sentences read with an edgy tone. To smooth it out, you could add a coordinating conjunction.
“I was thinking about not coming, yet I’m here.”
The tone is a little less brash in this sentence, and the sentence is a smoother read.
Example 2:
“I love to cook. I make dinner every night.”
In this example, the speaker sounds unnatural and, dare I say, a bit robotic as they describe their hobby.
“I love to cook, so I make dinner every night.”
By adding a coordinating conjunction, this sentence becomes more natural and flows more evenly.
What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?
We can use subordinating conjunctions to connect an independent sentence with a dependent one. There are many subordinating conjunctions, including “although,” “because,” “though,” “before,” “while,” “if,” and “when.”
Here are some examples of sentences with subordinating conjunctions.
Example 1:
“I went straight to the principal’s office when we got back to school.”
In this example, “we got back to school” is a dependent sentence. When you add the subordinating conjunction, “when,” it connects going to the principal’s office with getting back to the school, making the sentence feel complete.
Example 2:
“You will always succeed if you try everything you can.”
In this example, “you try everything you can” is not a stand-alone sentence. Using the subordinating conjunction “if” lets you connect this dependent sentence with the stand-alone phrase.
What Is a Correlative Conjunction?
Correlative conjunctions are sibling conjunction words or phrases that always come in pairs. Some correlative conjunction pairs, among others, are “either/or,” “as/as,” “not only/but also,” “both/and,” and “rather/than.”
They can either appear close together or far apart, but one cannot function properly in the sentence without the other.
Here are some examples of sentences with correlative conjunction words and phrases.
Example 1:
“As smart as Adam was, he could not score 100% on the exam.”
“As” and “as” work together in this sentence to form correlative conjunctions. Without one, the other doesn’t work.
Example 2:
“Either you stop jumping on the couch, or I’m turning off the TV.”
We positioned “either” and “or” far apart in this example, but they work closely together to establish the sentence’s meaning.
The Word “but” Is a Contrasting Coordinating Conjunction
The word “but” is a contrasting coordinating conjunction, meaning that it can help you combine contrasting thoughts, words, or phrases into one sentence (source).
Using one of the earlier examples, let’s look at how “but” helps combine contrasting sentences.
Example 1:
“I am on my way to a party. I am late for a party.”
It might sound strange if you were talking to someone and said these two sentences back to back. Using “but” to join the contrasting sentences would convey the message more naturally.
“I am on my way to a party, but I am running a little late.”
Example 2:
“I want to eat the second piece of the pie. I can’t eat the second piece of the pie.”
Just like with the first example, saying both sentences, although technically correct, sound strange to native English speakers. Using a contrasting coordinating conjunction can smooth the flow to a more natural tone. This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.
“I want to eat a second piece of pie, but I can’t.”
Final Thoughts
Starting a sentence with “but” is not grammatically wrong, but you should limit the term’s usage if you are writing in a more formal setting. Whether the rule we all learned as children is real or fake, teachers, professors, and potential clients all have their style preferences that you may need to know and follow to succeed.
If you must avoid using “but” at the beginning of a sentence, rewording or combining your sentences are always good places to start.
Asked by: Maurice Emard
Score: 4.9/5
(7 votes)
There’s no rule against beginning a sentence with but. Sure, it’s a wise admonition from middle-school English teachers that novice writers avoid beginning a series of sentences with but. In July we went to Six Flags. But it rained that day.
Is it smart to start a sentence with but?
Of course, there are style guides that discourage it, but it’s perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with “but” when writing. … 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.
Is it bad to start with but?
You should never start a sentence with the words “and” or “but” – never. If that was drilled into your head at some point during your elementary school English lessons, then you’re not alone.
Can you start a sentence with but or and?
It’s perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with «And,» as well as the other words that we are often taught to avoid such as «but» or «or.» Writing samples tracing back to the 9th century, including Bible translations, break these «sacred» rules, which stem from attempts to curb school children from stringing too …
Can you start a sentence with but example?
‘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. ‘
35 related questions found
What sentence can I start instead of but?
“Yet” can often replace “but” in a sentence without changing anything else, as both are coordinating conjunctions that can introduce a contrast. Alternatively, you could use one of these subordinating conjunctions: Although (e.g., I like Brian May, although I find his hair ridiculous.)
Do you use a comma when starting a sentence with but?
According to editors and grammarians, there is no comma after the word but at the beginning of a sentence. … There is really only one comma rule that mentions conjunctions: a comma goes before a coordinating conjunction that separates two independent clauses.
What are some good sentence starters?
Some words are indeed notable for being good sentence starters. The list will include the following: although, I would like to, first, meanwhile, therefore, subsequently, while, I would like to, moreover, in general, in addition, furthermore.
How do you use but in a sentence?
«I want to go to the party, but I am so tired.» «I like her, but I don’t like her friend.» «I studied for the test, but I don’t think I did well.» «I’m hungry, but I have nothing to eat.»
What are the 6 sentence openers?
There are six sentence openers:
- #1: Subject.
- #2: Prepositional.
- #3: -ly Adverb.
- #4: -ing , (participial phrase opener)
- #5: clausal , (www.asia.b)
- #6: VSS (2-5 words) Very Short Sentence.
What is a good introduction starter?
Begin your introduction with a «hook» that grabs your reader’s attention and introduces the general topic. Here are some suggestions on how to create a “hook”: State an interesting fact or statistic about your topic. Ask a rhetorical question.
What are ways to start a sentence?
Seven Effective Ways to Start a Sentence
- Adjective (a word that modifies a noun) …
- Adverb (a word that modifies a verb) …
- Prepositional phrase (a phrase that starts with a preposition) …
- Infinitive phrase. …
- Gerund phrase. …
- Participle phrase. …
- Adverb clause.
Can I use However instead of but?
«But» is a conjunction, and «however» is a conjunctive adverb. Confused yet? Don’t be! Simply put, «but» would use a comma to split two sentences, while «however» would use a semicolon or full stop to split the same sentence.
Is there a comma before but also?
Commas separate elements in a sentence. We don’t want to separate the two parts, so we don’t use a comma before but also.
Where do I put the comma in this sentence?
Commas (Eight Basic Uses)
- Use a comma to separate independent clauses. …
- Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. …
- Use a comma between all items in a series. …
- Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses. …
- Use a comma to set off appositives. …
- Use a comma to indicate direct address. …
- Use commas to set off direct quotations.
Can you start a sentence with but UK?
Grammatically, there is no reason why and, but, or any of the others can’t go at the beginning of the sentence at all. In fact, using them sparingly can really help you emphasise what you want to say.
What is a good sentence starter for an essay?
Below is a list of possible sentence starters, transitional and other words that may be useful. This essay discusses … … is explored … … is defined … The definition of … will be given … is briefly outlined … … is explored … The issue focused on …. … is demonstrated … … is included …
How do I start my first body paragraph?
Though a body paragraph should always begin with a topic sentence and end with proof of your objective — sometimes with a direct connection to the essay’s thesis — you don’t need to include the transition in that paragraph; instead, you may insert it right before the topic sentence of the next paragraph.
What is a good hook sentence?
Quotes and questions are perfect hooks for novel critiques or persuasive essays, while facts or statistics fit argumentative essays best. Don’t start your essay with a great hook simply because it’s great. It should be relevant to your topic, thesis, and purpose of your paper.
What is a good introduction sentence?
Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order: An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention. Relevant background information that the reader needs to know. A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.
How do you start an introduction example?
Strong Introduction Paragraph Examples
- Use a Surprising Fact. You can capture the reader’s attention with a surprising fact or statement. …
- Pose a Question. …
- Start With an Anecdote. …
- Set the Stage. …
- State Your Point Clearly. …
- Start With Something Shocking. …
- Use a Statistic. …
- Get Personal.
Coordinating conjunctions, such as “but,” are generally used to join two parts of a sentence together. But is it ever acceptable to start a sentence with the word “but”? Read on to find out more!
What the Traditionalists Say
You may have had it drummed into you for years that you cannot begin a sentence with “but.” This rule is a particular favorite of schoolteachers and is thought to prevent the overuse of the word, which is common in children’s speech. For instance:
✘ We went to the library to pick up our textbook. But it wasn’t available, so we looked online. But we couldn’t find it online either…
However, look at this example from Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick:
“Despairing of him, therefore, I determined to go to bed and to sleep; and no doubt, before a great while, he would follow me. But previous to turning in, I took my heavy bear-skin jacket…”
No one could accuse Melville of writing sloppy English. So why does he use sentences that begin with a coordinating conjunction?
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Melville’s Moby-Dick is considered to be one of America’s greatest novels.
(Photo: flickr.com)
When Is It Okay to Start a Sentence with “But”?
The truth is, there is no hard and fast rule against starting a sentence with “but”—as long as the sentence is formed correctly. Since this word is intended to connect two thoughts together, it’s important that your sentence contains a main clause. That means it should include a subject and a verb and can stand on its own.
You should also consider the audience for your writing. Although it may be perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with “but” in informal writing, such as in social media content and blog posts, it’s best avoided if you want to achieve a formal tone. For data-driven documents, such as case studies and text books, try using alternative expressions like “however” or “nevertheless.” One caveat: when writing literature or poetry, “but” can be used at the beginning of a sentence to achieve dramatic effect (see the Moby-Dick example).
Be Aware of Style Guides!
When weighing up whether to use “but” at the beginning of a sentence, check to see if you need to adhere to a particular style guide. Style guides are used in the publishing world to set standards for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Your style guide may specify that sentences shouldn’t begin with a coordinating conjunction. But if not (see what I did there?), the use of “but” at the beginning of a sentence is never truly off limits.
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