There is a commonly stated “rule” of grammar that beginning a sentence with and, or any other conjunction, is a mistake. But this is just not true. This supposed “rule” has no basis in actual writing, and even formal writing features plenty of sentences that start with and and other conjunctions. And we think that is really cool. So, are we going to debunk this pesky rule (that isn’t really a rule) stating that conjunctions can’t be sentence leaders? Yes, we are.
Can you start a sentence with and?
The word and is one of the most commonly used words in English, and it is one of the seven coordinating conjunctions used to form complex sentences like this one. Normally, we use a comma when we join independent clauses together with coordinating conjunctions. For example:
- I have a cat, and my sister has a dog.
Now, it is time to answer the million dollar question. Can you start a sentence with the word and? Despite what some supposed grammar gatekeepers might tell you, the answer is yes! In fact, most style guides encourage starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction if you are trying to make a point or using it for stylistic emphasis. For example, we can use and for dramatic effect like so:
- We used every trick, strategy, and gimmick we had at the competition. And we won!
There are a variety of reasons that we might start a sentence with and, such as for rhetorical effect, style, clarity, or flow. That being said, some people consider this to be improper, so don’t be surprised if you have a teacher or boss that takes you to task over this “mistake.” Still, you probably don’t want to overdo it and start all of your sentences with and.
➡️ One thing to keep in mind
There is one caveat to keep in mind, though, which doesn’t just apply to sentences starting with and. A complete sentence has a subject and a predicate. A collection of words that lacks one of these is not a sentence but a sentence fragment. While formal writing does allow for a very limited use of sentence fragments, these are often considered to be outright grammatical errors. So, unless you have a good reason, you should usually try to ensure your sentence that begins with and is, in fact, a sentence and not a sentence fragment. For example:
- Sentence: The woods were dark and spooky. And I think I saw a ghost!
- Sentence fragment: The circus has a dozen clowns. And a bear on a unicycle!
Examples
The following examples show the different ways we might use and to begin sentences.
- You may feel sad sometimes. And that’s okay.
- My neighbor is a nice guy who helps with yard work. And he gets me free coffee.
- The author announced another delay of her new book. And the reaction was just what you’d expect.
Can you start a sentence with but?
That takes care of and, but what about but? Like and, but is another of the seven coordinating conjunctions. All the points that we made about and apply to but as well. Typically, we use a comma when combining sentences with but. But we could use it to start a sentence instead! As with and, we might do this for many reasons. And it isn’t a mistake to do it!
Examples
Here are some examples of sentences that begin with but.
- I really need a new car. But I can’t afford one.
- It slices. It dices. It will file your taxes for you. But that’s not all!
- The comedian told all his best jokes. But nobody laughed.
You don’t always have to use but! Learn some alternatives for this common conjunction.
What about the other conjunctions?
As mentioned previously, and and but are two of the seven coordinating conjunctions. But what about the other five? Can we start sentences with them too? Yes, we can! While we typically use a comma to join sentences with coordinating conjunctions, we could also break those sentences apart.
Let’s look at examples of sentences that begin with each of the other five coordinating conjunctions.
- For: I didn’t tell my teacher I enjoyed her class. For that would be a lie.
- Nor: She didn’t hurt that poor kitty. Nor would she hurt any animal.
- Or: We could say we saw an alien. Or we could pretend none of this ever happened.
- Yet: Dash ran as hard and as fast as he could. Yet he still only finished third in the race.
- So: My daughter really doesn’t want to clean her room. So she has been hiding from me all day.
So far, we have only talked about coordinating conjunctions, but there are many more conjunctions out there. Can we start sentences with them, too? We sure can! For example:
- We will go to the store. After we eat breakfast, of course.
When we look beyond coordinating conjunctions, we see a new trend start to emerge. These other conjunctions are subordinating conjunctions, meaning they attach a subordinate clause to a main clause. Grammatically, it is considered perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with a subordinate clause. In fact, you will see this extremely often in formal writing and even the strictest grammarian would not consider this to be against the rules. For example:
- Because I needed an A on the test, I studied harder than I ever had before.
Additionally, many of these conjunctions can also be used as adverbs and it is totally in line with grammatical rules to begin a sentence with an adverbial phrase:
- After all that running around, my dog took a long nap.
All of this means that not only can you start sentences with conjunctions, you might end up with a much clearer and interesting sentence if you do!
Examples
Let’s finish things up by looking at a whole bunch of great sentences that begin with conjunctions.
- My kids would never steal something. Because they know stealing is wrong.
- I didn’t call his bluff. Although I was really tempted to.
- This puzzle is really easy. Even a baby could solve it.
- We will catch Bigfoot. If we can ever find him.
- She said she was going to meet Bart in Springfield. Wherever that is.
- Nate can be the best player on the team. When he feels like it.
- This mystery is all but solved. Now that Sherlock Holmes is here.
- The two brothers need to work together. Before it is too late.
And there’s more—Grammar Coach™, that is!
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Last Update: Jan 03, 2023
This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!
Asked by: Karson Ryan
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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 …
Why is it bad to start a sentence with and?
‘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.
What is it called starting a sentence with and?
It’s Fine to Start a Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction. «And,» «but,» and «or» are the three most common members of a group of words known as coordinating conjunctions.
What words can’t you start a sentence with?
There’s no grammar rule that says you can’t start a sentence with “and.” Others stretch this idea further, saying it’s wrong to start a sentence with any conjunction, including “so” and “but.” Again, the idea here is that these words indicate a continuation of a thought that started in a previous sentence.
Can you start a sentence with and in academic writing?
The answer is yes. It is perfectly acceptable to start sentences with the conjunctions and and but. However, it is slightly informal. If formality is your goal, choose more formal language.
45 related questions found
What 3 words should you never start a sentence with?
You should never start a sentence with the words “and” or “but” – never.
Is it proper to begin a sentence with and/or but?
Answer: It is completely acceptable to begin a sentence with the words and, but, and or. Conjunction words like these join together sentences, clauses, or phrases.
When to use a and an in a sentence?
Use “a” before words that start with a consonant sound and “an” before words that start with a vowel sound. Other letters can also be pronounced either way. Just remember it is the sound that governs whether you use “a” or “an,” not the actual first letter of the word.
How do you use and example in a sentence?
And sentence example
- The boy laughed cheerfully and jumped out. …
- He laughed at that, and his laugh was merry and frank. …
- She stopped and gazed up at his face. …
- He parked the truck in front of the house and headed down the hill.
Is it okay to start a sentence with and Reddit?
From my research it seems that it is a rule «on the books» but that it has really fallen out of favor and beginning a sentence with «and» is acceptable today (as long as it’s not done in excess, etc).
Can you start a sentence with but apa?
The purpose of conjunctions such as however, but, and and is to join, and a word beginning a sentence should not be a joining word.
What is and in a sentence?
And is a conjunction, and in particular a coordinating conjunction. Conjunctions are words that join together other words or groups of words, and coordinating conjunctions specifically connect words, phrases, and clauses that are of equal importance in the sentence.
What are 10 simple sentences?
50 examples of simple sentences
- She doesn’t study German on Monday.
- Does she live in Paris?
- He doesn’t teach math.
- Cats hate water.
- Every child likes an ice cream.
- 6.My brother takes out the trash.
- The course starts next Sunday.
- She swims every morning.
How do you use and in a statement?
When you combine each one of them with an IF statement, they read like this:
- AND – =IF(AND(Something is True, Something else is True), Value if True, Value if False)
- OR – =IF(OR(Something is True, Something else is True), Value if True, Value if False)
- NOT – =IF(NOT(Something is True), Value if True, Value if False)
Where we use A and an?
The two indefinite articles in English are a and an. The indefinite article an is used to make pronunciation easier when reading a text aloud. The general rule is to use a when the indefinite article precedes a word beginning with a consonant sound and an when it precedes a word starting with a vowel sound.
Are and is Examples?
If the noun is singular, use is. If it is plural or there is more than one noun, use are. The cat is eating all of his food. The cats are eating all of their food.
What difference between A and an?
‘A’ and ‘an’ are both indefinite articles used before nouns or before adjectives that modify nouns. To determine if you should use ‘a’ or ‘an’ before a word, you need to listen to the sound the word begins with. Use ‘a’ if the word begins with a consonant sound and use ‘an’ if the word begins with a vowel sound.
Can I use but after a period?
It is grammatically correct to use “but” at the beginning of a sentence, though it is supposed to be immediately followed by a comma. It is normally not something you should do in correct sentence structure. There are many better alternatives as someone else stated before.
How do you join a sentence with but?
Tom ran, but he missed the bus.
…
Conjunctions are used to connect two sentences into one long sentence:
- I play tennis and I swim.
- You can go to the cinema, or you can visit your aunt.
- Ana loves oranges, but she hates pears.
- It was raining, so I took an umbrella.
- Peter is crying because he has failed his exams.
How do you start a sentence with OK?
The only way I know of starting a sentence with OK is when I am being asked a favor which I agree to grant. Examples: A: Could you please do this for me? B: OK, with pleasure.
Can a sentence start with so?
In fact, starting a sentence with a conjunction such as so, for, but can actually be totally acceptable. Most people don’t care, but those who do, care a whole lot. So, why do many people hate seeing it? Well, the main reason is that it can result in fragmented sentences, which impede flow and readability.
Can you start a paragraph with okay?
Okay is one of those words that peppers the speech patterns of many people. Here is the scoop on okay. If it comes at the beginning of a sentence, follow it with a period. It stands by itself and is not attached to anything around it.
What is the example of 1 sentence?
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence has the most basic elements that make it a sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought. Examples of simple sentences include the following: Joe waited for the train. The train was late.
Can use sentences?
She can speak several languages. He can swim like a fish. They can’t dance very well. … She could speak several languages.
What is an example of 5 sentences?
5 sentences: The police department in my town is just around the corner from my house. Every summer I try to find the biggest tree around to climb. My mom always complains that my socks stink after I get home from camp.
In a nutshell, yes!
There are a number of confusing grammar rules in the English language, and whether or not it’s okay to start a sentence with and is one of them. Many of us, from a very young age, have grown up being told that starting a sentence with a conjunction such as and is a big no-no. In fact, let’s be honest, you’ve probably let this dictate a lot of the way you write.
But starting with a conjunction is allowed and can actually make things better. Simply starting with a conjunction – described as a word that joins other words, clauses or phrases – can make a sentence more forceful, dramatic or impactful. These shorter words often work much better than their transitional counterparts such as however, furthermore or additionally; all of which can soften the impact of a sentence.
End the misconception about and
Many of the old-school grammarists believe that it is rather inelegant to start a sentence with and. Thankfully though, that train of thought is coming to an end, with many writers already quite happily ignoring this rule. In fact, it’s not really a rule at all, more of a style choice.
So why can you begin a sentence with and? Well, starting with and can actually be a great way of reinforcing what has just been said in the prior sentence. With that in mind, we’re here to show you exactly how it’s done.
Starting a sentence with and, but doing it right
Starting all sentences with a conjunction will become annoying and won’t flow quite as well, so while you CAN do it, don’t OVERdo it. Continuous use can make a piece of writing seem stilted and full of fragmented sentences. If you are doing that, then those old teachers of yours might well be vindicated in their choice of telling you to desist! It’s also probably why they told you to avoid it in the first place, rather than just teaching you to write complete sentences from the start.
Let’s have a look at some examples.
A simple sentence starting with and can look like this:
And then she yelled.
Now imagine the sentence preceding it was:
Anne saw the mouse poke its face out of the hole. And then she yelled.
This is much more impactful and memorable than:
Anne saw the mouse poke its face out of the hole, and then she yelled.
Occasionally you will find yourself also starting a sentence with and but needing to include a comma. This will occur if the and is at the start of a clause that could actually be removed for the sentence entirely, yet still allow the sentence to make sense. Remember that the comma will have to bookend that entire clause for this to be grammatically correct.
Here’s an example:
And then, with an ear-splitting sound, she yelled.
Doing this makes the sentence a little more interesting, gives more information and generally adds a little flair. However, that section within the commas can also be removed without detracting from the sentence at all.
And in conclusion…
Well, there you have it. When writing, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with and. But the trick is not to overdo it. If you do, you can end up running the risk of creating a more stilted piece instead of something beautiful. Next time that voice whispers in your ear that a conjunction shouldn’t start a sentence, turn that off and go ahead anyway!
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Depending on the type of writing you are doing, it may or may not be appropriate to use “and” to begin a sentence. Appropriateness often depends on the genre since fiction writing and business correspondence will have different rules and the sentence prior. Still, how do you avoid starting a sentence with “and”?
It is not favorable to begin a sentence with and. The function of the word “and” is to join groups of words or phrases, making it an odd choice to use to begin a sentence. While it is not technically incorrect to start a sentence with and, there are various techniques available to avoid its use. They include using alternative transition words, combining shorter clauses and sentences, and simply doing away with the word altogether if the context makes sense. It is essential to determine whether or not the sentence is an exception to the general notion that you should not use “and” to begin a sentence.
This article will cover the nuances of starting a sentence with “and,” or any conjunction, for that matter. We will also consider those cases where it may be appropriate and in which cases it would be better to find an alternative.
To understand where and how we can use the word “and,” we must first examine its categorization. Grammarians and lexicographers categorize “and” as a conjunction, defining it by its function as opposed to its content, as you would see in a verb or noun (source). This is why it is considered poor etiquette to begin a sentence with and.
However, there are no grammatical rules that state using “and” at the beginning of a sentence is incorrect. Therefore, although it is not favorable to overuse it and begin every sentence with “and” when another transition word (or lack of a transition word) could do, starting a sentence with a conjunction is grammatically correct.
To begin, yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with “and” — no grammatical rules state that beginning a sentence with “and” is a problem.
However, one should take note that beginning a sentence with “and” does change the register, generally making the sentence much more informal. For that reason, you should avoid it in formal writing, such as business correspondence.
Finding Better Options
Another thing to watch out for is its overuse — starting sentence after sentence with “and” makes the sentences read as if they were spoken, which is something that written language often avoids doing. Below is an example of such:
I went to the store. And then I went to pick up my son from school. And then I cooked him lunch. And then I took him to the movies.
So how can we replace this repetitive “and”? Instead, try using other transition words and combining the phrases into a list. A good way to do this would be to use a construction like “First… then… finally…” or anything that allows you to tell the story in chronological order without the use of “and” (source).
First, I went to the store. Then, I went to pick up my son from school, cooked him lunch, and took him to the movies.
That being said, there is also a way to write this while keeping the “and” at the beginning of the sentence — you’ll just need to select this placement carefully to be most productive.
Today, I went to the store, then picked up my son from school and cooked him lunch. And then I took him to the movies.
Introducing “and” at the beginning of a sentence can allow for additional emphasis! If you’re writing a list like we have above and hoping to highlight one of the specifics, it might be beneficial to separate it from the rest of the sentence with a conjunction.
That allows the reader to easily notice that the specific item is different from the others, highlighting it and setting it apart.
Should You Start a Sentence With “And”?
The answer here is similarly complicated — should is a word heavily dependent on the situation for a clear answer. What kind of writing are you doing? How does the sentence interact with the other sentences surrounding it? Is there a particular point you are trying to make?
A variety of factors go into deciding whether or not it is effective to use a contested idea such as this one, and we must examine them thoughtfully to come to a satisfying conclusion.
Common Issues
As we outlined before, the “should” heavily depends on the context and the situation you are writing in. For example, are you writing to an employer, or are you writing a journal entry? Formality and style are the main things to consider when determining whether or not you can begin the sentence with “and.”
Something else to consider is the content of the previous sentence — would this new sentence make sense if you took the period away and left the “and” to bind the clauses together?
Here are a few examples:
- There was a loud crash. And a lady had a stroller.
The above sentences don’t make sense — not because the “and” at the beginning of the second sentence is grammatically incorrect or that we shouldn’t place it there, but rather because the two sentences wouldn’t make sense even if they were connected, as such:
- There was a loud crash, and a lady had a stroller.
Either way, because the content is unrelated, using “and” as a conjunction serves no productive purpose. However, if the sentences were related, it would make more sense to use this kind of construction.
- There was a loud crash, and a baby in a stroller started to cry.
- There was a loud crash. And a baby in a stroller started to cry.
Since these two sentences are related and we can use them in one complete sentence, there is little issue in breaking them up into two.
However, be careful when employing this technique that you do not create sentence fragments instead. When listing things and trying to separate that list into multiple sentences, this is a particularly easy mistake to make.
Many English teachers tell us not to use “and” at the beginning of a sentence from a young age, but this isn’t actually always the case. It depends on how you use it and in what situations.
However, a good practice to follow might be that if you are unsure whether or not it would work to use “and” at the beginning of a sentence in a particular case, it is likely better to avoid it due to potential complications, such as incomplete sentences (source).
Is Starting a Sentence With “and” Bad?
To begin, we want to examine what “bad” writing is. Is using “and” to begin a sentence informal? Yes. However, is it a function that we use and that a variety of professionals with good command of the English language use? Yes.
Again, this particular question is all about context. When in doubt, ask yourself, “Am I certain that using a conjunction at the beginning of this sentence is necessary and does not confuse the reader?” If you are hesitant to answer that question with a “yes,” then chances are you should replace the “and” with something else.
Alternative Phrases
So what can you replace the “and” with? The easiest way to move around the urge to use “and” to start a sentence would be to simply not use it at all. There are very few instances in which the “and” is necessary, and it otherwise acts mostly as a stylistic choice, which is why it is most prevalent in creative writing.
However, if you’d like to use some form of transition word so that the sentence does not start too directly, here are a few options that may work:
- Also
- As well
- In addition
- Moreover
- Further
It would help to brush up on your transition words to be able to employ a variety of them; each transition word has its discrete meanings and nuances, which also makes it easier to find one that more carefully fits into the sentence you’re constructing.
For more on transitional phrases, you may wish to read “With That Being Said: Meaning and Use of This Common Phrase.”
The same goes for other sorts of conjunctions. The validity of their use at the beginning of a sentence depends on the context in which we place them and their frequency.
However, you can also replace them with other transition words. In the examples below, note how the register changes as we replace the conjunction with a heftier transition word (source).
| Conjunction | Transition |
|---|---|
| There were fish. And there were sharks. | There were fish. Also, there were sharks. |
| There were fish. But there were no sharks. | There were fish. However, there were no sharks. |
| There were fish. So there must have been sharks. | There were fish. Therefore, there must have been sharks. |
Is Starting a Sentence With “and” Wrong?
Grammatically, likely not. Of course, a few exceptions exist, but most of them have to do with the surrounding clauses. The sentence that you write before the “and” is equally as important as the one that comes after in determining whether the writing is grammatically correct.
Employing Creativity
While it isn’t wrong, most of the time, the sentence sounds better when combined with the sentence prior:
- She went to the store. And she bought some socks.
- She went to the store and bought some socks.
However, with some context and room for creativity, this might be okay as well:
She went to the store to buy some socks. And although she could not buy any socks, she found a beautiful hair clip she bought instead.
With the added content and the lean towards a creative narrative, using “and” at the beginning of a sentence is totally acceptable!
Creative writing also has a more loose set of rules since you have to follow no narratives of formality. When writing a story, poem, or script, using “and” at the beginning of a sentence becomes even more common.
The same goes for any other sorts of conjunctions — there are no grammatical rules that explicitly state any issues with beginning a sentence with “and,” or any other conjunction. The main reason writers avoid these types of sentence beginnings is that they often sound very informal, as if they’re speaking instead of writing.
Grammar in Creative Genres
Grammar is often a contested subject in more creative genres, such as fiction and poetry. Although authors follow grammatical rules more often than not for a sense of clarity and cohesion, these genres of writing do not rely on straightforward, direct text.
Instead, they often employ alternative methods to create a unique style of writing. In more creative genres, most of the issues we’ve mentioned in this article are not issues at all — incomplete sentences, fragments, and register are rarely important enough to avoid.
So how does one add information and context to a sentence in a creative piece that begins with a conjunction? Something that may work is pairing the conjunction with a more powerful transition word to create a more nuanced shift. This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.
You might also want to study the concept of emphasis and use shorter sentences that begin with conjunctions to highlight specific points.
Final Thoughts
Most native English students learned from a young age to avoid using “and” at the beginning of a sentence, or any other conjunction, for that matter.
However, this is a myth perpetuated by many public school educators because it is difficult to explain why sometimes using a conjunction to begin a sentence sounds awkward and incorrect and why sometimes it works. This isn’t easy because it’s related to the seemingly intangible properties of register and flow.
If you would like to start a sentence with “and,” go through a mental checklist to see if there are any blaring problems: Would the sentences make sense if you combined them into one? Am I writing something that requires a high register (formality)? Are there any alternatives I can use that would make more sense?
After going through the checklist, take stock of the context and make an informed decision about whether or not this might be a good place to start a sentence with a conjunction. If not, simply employ one of the alternatives — transition words are abundant in English, and surely one of them will fit.
It’s perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with and (as well as doing so with words such as but or or). Using and at the beginning of a sentence has been a practice for over a thousand years.
Whether or not one should avoid using certain words at the very beginning of a sentence is one of those tidbits of grammatical information that nestles in some corner of our brains, dimly but persistently reminding us that we are probably doing something wrong. (The truly painstaking nitpicker will point out that the opening line of this piece begins with one of those words, whether, that has been declared unfit to begin a sentence.)
The mnemonic ‘FANBOYS’ (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) is a useful way to remember the coordinating conjunctions. But it’s not a guide to words that don’t belong at the beginning of a sentence.
Many people content themselves with the trusted maxim «do not begin sentences with and or but.» If you are interested in learning whether or not this is a sensible rule, well, it is not. And if you don’t much care whether the rule is sensible or not, and just want to keep telling people that they are wrong when they use certain words to begin their sentences, well, you are in luck, since there have been many more prohibitions against sentence-initial words than just and and but.
The Beginning of And/But in the Beginning
Firstly, has it ever been wrong to begin a sentence with and or but? No, it has not. We have been breaking this rule all the way from the 9th century Old English Chronicle through the current day. Many translations of the Bible are filled with sentence-initial ands and buts, and they even may be found in some of our more beloved—and prescriptive—usage guides. The 1959 edition of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style begins two sentences in a row with these prohibited words, and does so with nary a trace of self-consciousness.
But since writing is communication, clarity can only be a virtue. And although there is no substitute for merit in writing, clarity comes closest to being one.
—William Strunk Jr. & E. B. White, The Elements of Style, 1959
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of English Usage begins its entry on and with this statement: «Everybody agrees that it’s all right to begin a sentence with and, and nearly everybody admits to having been taught at some past time that the practice was wrong.» The entry notes that there has been speculation that sentence-initial ands were discouraged to prevent children from stringing together interminable lists of clauses or sentences. While it makes sense to avoid an enormous pile of independent clauses in one’s writing, it seems unlikely that trying to change the way people naturally use the language will solve this problem. There are times when it would be ill-advised to begin a sentence with and or but, and there are times when it works just fine.
Can You Begin a Sentence with These Words?
If you are one of those people who prefers to avoid people who begin their sentences with these words, and if you would like to further curtail your sentence-initial word choices, there have been a large number of other words that we have previously been told not to use in that position. Here is a smattering:
Do not begin a sentence with however or a similar unimportant word.
—Jacob Cloyd Tressler, English in Action, 1929Do not begin a sentence with “also” or “likewise.”
—George Hitchcock, Sermon Composition, 1908Or never begins a sentence, paragraph, or chapter.
—James Brown, The American System of English Grammar, 1826Never begin a sentence—or a clause—with also.
—J. M. D. Meiklejohn, The Art of Writing English, 1899Teach the elimination of but, so, and, because, at the beginning of a sentence.
—Documents of the School Committee of the City of Boston, 1916A sentence should not commence with the conjunctions and, for, or however….
—George Payn Quackenbos, An Advanced Course of Composition and Rhetoric, 1854
FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So)
Some people may remember learning the mnemonic FANBOYS when studying the coordinating conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. And some instructors also still use this as means of explaining which words should not be given the chance to lead the parade. But it’s
slightly ridiculous to insist that these words should never be used to begin a sentence, when a thousand years of English writing has shown this to be a fine way to start off.
If you’re going to create a silly-sounding acronym to list these words, then go whole-hog and list all of the words that schoolchildren have been told not to put at the beginnings of sentences over the past 200 years. We crafted one for you that helpfully looks like a web address: WWWFLASHYBONNBAN, which stands, obviously, for whether, well, why, for, likewise, and, so, however, yet, but, or, nor, now, because, also, nevertheless.
Can you start a sentence with and’? Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to do so. And you can also begin sentences with other words that you were told not to. Here is how and why.
Old School English
English literature dating back to the origin of the language, 9th century, features plenty of sentences that start with ‘and’, ‘or’, and ‘also’. And it continues onward from there for the next thousands of years.
As you may have seen, the old Bible translations also begin plenty of sentences with ‘and’ as well as other coordinating conjunctions. Starting a sentence with ‘and’ is not an unfamiliar concept.
The rule of not beginning a sentence with ‘and’ originated in grammar books, your high school English teacher, and nearly everybody else around the turn of the 20th century. It was also not okay to start sentences with other words such as ‘but’, ‘or’, ‘so’, and the list goes on.
This seems like a contradiction to the previous 900 years of using the words freely to start sentences.
It is believed that the education system’s intentions were good. It sought to reduce the number of sentences kids would produce that began with conjunctions to avoid sentence fragments.
Everyone did as they were told for a while, but those educators are long gone now. It is time to free the word ‘and’ from its 20th-century reputation.
Language Evolves
Even in the past 100 or so years, the English language and grammatical rules have changed dramatically. Can you imagine Snoop Dogg having a conversation with Edgar Allan Poe? They would communicate, but it would take a little extra effort. And the further back you go and the more English changes, the less recognizable the language becomes.
Let us examine a historical document we have all heard of, the Bible. This is in Old English, written sometime before or around the year 1000:
Drihten me raet, ne byth me nanes godes wan.
And he me geset on swythe good feohland.
And fedde me be waetera stathum.
That is the origin of the language currently in use today. It is hard to believe that the use of ‘and’ to start a sentence remains consistent throughout such a long evolution despite these constant changes.
Those academics almost buried English’s little secret for good. Until rebellious students and writers began to use the word again at the start of sentences, opening an excellent language debate using connectives.
You cannot keep a good ‘and’ down.
Can You Start A Sentence With And—Not Just a Conjunction
Reading this will cause discomfort to some readers. They may not yet be ready for such a radical return to the roots of the language.
And’ has a firm place in its current uses with coordinating conjunctions, joining independent clauses, connecting two sentences, using conjunctive adverbs, and connecting unrelated sentences. It is used widely for many functions and generally follows the same rule: it joins two parts together.
For these reasons, starting a sentence with conjunction may make it seem unnatural. However, it is in the framework of conjunction, but the function of the word slightly changes when used at the start of a sentence. It is the same with the other FANBOYS words as well.
FANBOYS
FANBOYS is a mnemonic word for the seven coordinating conjunctions For And Nor But Or Yet So. People have forever been taught never to use some or all of these words to start sentences.
So to put the word ‘and’ back into its lexical standing, the rest of the FANBOYS can come as well. Some are already more accepted than others.
Is So a Conjunction?
S in FANBOYS stands for So; hence so is one of the coordinating conjunctions.
The conjunction “so” connects two independent clauses. In this case, a comma should precede “so.” The clause starting with “so” expresses a result.
For instance, The discussion was exciting and interactive, so the students understood what had been taught.
Thus in a Sentence
The adverb “thus” is synonymous with so, therefore, or hence. Below are sample sentences that used “thus:”
- It is impractical, and thus I advise you to reconsider before beginning.
- Thus, he would create a movement to address the majority’s concern.
- Ariane got deceived many times, thus making her afraid of social interaction.
- Miguel was thus the leading pioneer of the recent theory.
However in the Middle of a Sentence
Below are examples of “however” used in the middle of sentences:
- It might not be easy at the start; however, you will find it easier with more practice.
- We cannot be 100% sure about everything; however, we can give an estimation.
- She is full of wisdom; however, her emotional state has recently been shattered.
- John has never missed watching a single basketball league since 2011; however, he will miss watching the upcoming one due to his accident.
Starting a Sentence with And
When you start a sentence with ‘and’, you still use it to connect a new idea to another present in a second sentence.
Contextually, it is the equivalent of saying ‘also’. Of course, you could begin your sentence with ‘also’, but ‘and’ is more pointed. It creates a more significant emphasis because it is just one powerful syllable.
“My sister lost my dog. And my car keys.”
To write “my sister lost my dog and my car keys” does not carry the same meaning. They use the exact words, but without the stop.
The stop adds the emphasis, and then ‘and’ follows as a matter of fact after, as if stating a heightened, further annoyance in this case. The added meaning is absent when ‘and’ is used as a coordinating conjunction. ‘Also’ can be used alternatively but not pack the same punch.
And the Others
Just as ‘and’ can also add emphasis, it is worth looking momentarily at the other coordinating conjunctions. If you were to use them at the beginnings of sentences, here are some new meanings they may take on:
- For – Implying intent
- Nor – Further negate something, with emphasis
- But – Yet or However
- Or – In other words or an alternate idea
- Yet – In further consideration
- So – To conclude
One can always argue that any of these replacements will be suitable instead of a conjunction, but they can state that their main reason is they are using these words because of their specific meaning.
In this sense, starting a sentence with any of the seven coordinating conjunctions is perfectly acceptable and can at times enhance communication.
Using a Comma
When you start a sentence with ‘and’ continuing an idea from a previous statement, it is unnecessary to use a comma afterward.
For example, “I want to get a pizza. And, some ice cream.” The comma here is superfluous. It adds no value to the sentence other than to disrupt the emphatic ‘and’.
Adversely, they could argue that the comma adds to the emphasis. Since this article is about defying conventions, the writer leaves the decision up to you. The most important thing to remember is that any effect is free for use in writing with intent.
The Other FANBOYS
A comma is not needed when used after any of the FANBOYS words when they begin in a sentence unless the writer has a purpose for doing it.
Avoid Sentence Fragments
Misused ‘and’ at the beginning of a sentence may read like a sentence fragment. That is part of a sentence but not a complete sentence.
When using ‘and’ at the start of a sentence, make sure that it works and does not display like it was incomplete—cut off from the end of the sentence.
Business and Formal Writing
When composing a letter for business or formal writing, the generally accepted rule is to not use ‘and’ at the beginning of a sentence.
There are a couple of reasons for this. First, we are creatures of convention, and whether or not those English teachers a hundred years ago were wrong, it does not mean that it has not affected traditions or our perceptions of them.
It is still largely frowned upon in business or academic writing to start sentences with any coordinating conjunction.
Students are free to impress their associate professor with a debate, but it generally pays to follow the status quo in the business world.
In business writing, it is a matter of how your grammar affects the tone of what you are writing. Since using ‘and’ at the start of a sentence is generally perceived as bad form, it is probably better to avoid using it.
In Conclusion
When you start a sentence with ‘and’ or any other conjunction, you can demonstrate how you are using the word with a different intention than as conjunction. Starting a sentence with ‘and’ becomes a form of emphasis.
And if nothing else, you can always say that you are using English that has been used for millennia.
Although it will probably take some time to shake off the stigma associated with ‘and’ at the start of a sentence, you are free to use it in all forms of its intended communication.
If you are in an academic or business setting, it may not hurt to conform to the norm, but in the off-hours, nothing says party like an ‘and’ at the start of a sentence.
The word ‘and’ has such staying power as a sentence starter that it can be considered a linguistic institution. It has been around for over a thousand years when not many words have. Academics once tried to cancel it.
The least we can do is preserve it and use it in its grammatically correct form.
The short answer is: yes. However, it is more complicated than that.
The two uses of ‘and’
In a list
The first use of ‘and’ you will learn is that it shows the last item in a list.
I have an apple and a pen.
I have an apple, a pen and a camera.
I have an apple, a pen, a camera and a t-shirt.
As a conjunction
‘And’ is a co-ordinating junction. It joins:
-
Two clauses
-
Of equal importance
-
The clauses make sense on their own
What is a clause?
A clause is part of a sentence which makes sense on its own.
I like dogs
is a clause because it has a subject and a verb.
She likes cats
is also a clause.
Equal importance & Make sense
The two ideas are equally important. They both make sense on their own.
Using ‘and’
We can join the two clauses like this:
I like cats and she likes cats.
What about this?
I like cats. And she like cats.
You cannot use ‘and’ to start a sentence like this. Why?
You are told in English lessons to NEVER start a sentence using ‘and’. Using ‘and’ to start a sentence comes from using it in every day spoken English. It is not ‘grammatically’ correct.
When can I use ‘and’ to start a sentence?
A full stop (.) is used to mark the end of a thought. It is where the speaker / reader pauses. If we take the above example:
I like cats. And she like cats.
the speaker pauses after the first clause. In reality, they wouldn’t. The second clause is not surprising, or something they may have forgotten. Why pause?
‘And’ is used to start sentences when:
-
The ‘and’ clause is related to the first clause
-
The ‘and’ clause is exciting / interesting / noteworthy; or
-
The speaker forgot the ‘and’ clause and needs to add it on
Examples
I went to the supermarket and saw Jenny. And she has a new boyfriend.
Starting the sentence with ‘and’ shows that the ‘and’ clause is surprising and forgotten, so the speaker pauses before it. Look at the same sentences below and see the difference.
I went to the supermarket, saw Jenny and she has a new boyfriend.
I went to the supermarket, saw Jenny. She has a new boyfriend!
In the second example, there is a new sentence but the missing ‘and’ shows that the speak knows they are going to say the second sentence when they start the first.
Bangkok was amazing! I ate great food, the weather was gorgeous and there’s loads to do. And so cheap!
Here, the speaker is talking about their holiday to Bangkok. They list three things they liked. The ‘and’ clause is added as it noteworthy.
You should definitely take out the loan and pay back your parents. And that credit card bill.
Here, the speaker is advising someone to do two things. The third thing has been forgotten so added at the end. It starts with ‘and’ because it is related to the first sentence.
Can we start a sentence with «And»? Is the following example correct?
From now on, the biochemistry lecture class on Mondays at 10.30 a.m. will be held on Sundays at 11.30 a.m instead. And the anatomy lecture class on Sundays at 11.30 a.m. will be held on Mondays at 10.30 a.m instead.
asked Jan 5, 2014 at 8:41
3
Feel free to start a sentence that way.
In the past, English teachers used to preach that one should never start a sentence with conjunctions like and or but… It is already acceptable to start sentences with such conjunctions. Some authorities, in fact, even defend that for some cases conjunctions will do a better job than more formal constructions.
«That it is a solecism to begin a sentence with and is a faintly lingering superstition. The OED gives examples ranging from the 10th to the 19th c.; the Bible is full of them.»
While it is acceptable to use such conjunctions to start a sentence, you should still use them carefully and efficiently, else your text might become choppy.
There is a persistent belief that it is improper to begin a sentence with And, but this prohibition has been cheerfully ignored by standard authors from Anglo-Saxon times onwards. An initial And is a useful aid to writers as the narrative continues.
— The New Fowler’s Modern English Usage
answered Jan 5, 2014 at 9:17
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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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You’re starting a sentence with and, and your detail-oriented friend suddenly erupts with “Pssh! You can’t start a sentence with a conjunction!”
Strange. You weren’t aware starting sentences with conjunctions was verboten.
Even your English teacher did it. So, it must be okay, you argue.
“Nope. It’s not correct,” your friend insists. Except your friend is WRONG!
Okay, that was a sweeping generalization (much like what your friend said).
But there are plenty of situations where it’s completely fine to start a sentence with and.
You’ve heard the expression, “Pause for effect”?
Read on to see how that applies.
What Is a Conjunction?
Anytime you’re writing something you want to sound as natural as a conversation, you’ll probably use conjunctions at the beginning of a sentence.
- I could vote by mail. Or I could vote early at the county government center.
- Girl, you look fantastic. And I want to know where you found that dress.
- He’s so sure of himself. Yet he still wants me there for moral support.
After all, conjunctions are linking words. They bring words and phrases together. It’s a beautiful thing. But some types of conjunctions are more welcome at the beginning of a sentence than others.
Conjunctions come in three different types:
- Coordinating
- Subordinating
- Correlative
Check out each type’s list of conjunctions to see examples and to understand what sets them apart.
Coordinating Conjunctions link equal parts of a sentence, whether those parts are clauses, phrases, or nouns in a series. Neither part is dependent on the other.
The conjunction links them — either after a comma within a sentence or at the beginning of a subsequent sentence. You’ve probably seen a lot of sentences that begin with one of these.
- And — “And I’m not even sorry.”
- Or — “Or why am I even here? (Why are any of us here?)”
- But — “But you didn’t, did you?”
- Nor — “Nor am I the one who snuck out of the house with your Chia pet!”
- Yet — “Yet I’m here, just as I promised.”
- So — “So don’t even ask me where I’ve been.”
- For — “For he was the unhappy victim of a curse that compelled him to begin every sentence with the word ‘for.’”
Subordinating Conjunctions are different. They link two parts to show that one is subordinate to or depends on the other. Use these incorrectly, and you have a sentence fragment. When you look at the following examples, you’ll see why.
- Because — “Because I wasn’t even there.”
- Since — “Since I quit drinking.”
- After — “After I bruised my tailbone.”
- If — “If only I’d been there that night.”
- Although — “Although he never told me.”
- While — “While I was away.”
- Once — “Once upon a time.”
Used this way, the subordinating conjunction makes us feel like something is missing. And it is. Here’s where it helps to know a key difference between coordinating and subordinating conjunctions:
- Coordinating conjunctions have to go between the two linked clauses.
- Subordinating clauses can go before both of them.
Subordinating conjunctions need to join two things: a word, phrase, or clause subordinate to the second thing — an independent clause.
- Because — “Because I was sick, he asked me to stay home.”
- Since — “Since then, I’ve been giving her space.”
- After — “After this, we should celebrate with tacos.”
- If — “If only I’d been there that night, I could have helped her in time.”
- Although — “Although he never told me, I knew exactly what happened.”
- While — “While I was away, he hacked into my smart home settings.”
- Once — “Once upon a time, two princesses left the kingdom on a quest.”
Of course, when you’re writing dialogue, these rules don’t apply. In English, people speak in fragments all the time:
- “Because I said so.”
- “Since forever.”
- “If only.”
Correlative Conjunctions work in pairs and join together words or phrases with equal importance. In any of the following examples, they don’t create a complete sentence, but you might find phrases like these in dialogue:
- Either / or — “Either the red dress or the black one”
- Neither / nor — “Neither the beach nor their favorite restaurant”
- Not only / but also — “Not only the best mom but also the best chef I know”
But any of these pairs can begin and continue a complete sentence, as you’ll see below.
- Either / or — “Either you leave, or I call the police.” / “Either vanilla or chocolate ice cream will do nicely.”
- Neither / nor — “Neither she nor her boyfriend will be joining us.”
- Not only / but also — “Not only did he make dinner, but he also had a bouquet delivered to my door.”
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11 Examples Of Dangling Modifiers
How To Create An Em Dash Or Hyphen
15 Common Grammar Mistakes That Kill Your Writing Credibility
Thanks to a deeply-ingrained “rule” so many of us learned in grade school, it’s not hard to find articles and forums dealing with questions like “Can you use but at the beginning of a sentence?” and “Can you start a sentence with or?”
It’s also not hard to find people who will spot your sentences starting with conjunctions and tell you, “That’s wrong!” You’ll also hear, “Just because so many other people do it doesn’t make it okay.”
But, when it comes to living languages like English, it kinda does.
Fact is, there’s no actual grammar rule that forbids beginning a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. True, you might see it less in formal, technical, or academic writing (especially English grammar textbooks).
But that doesn’t mean it’s grammatically incorrect.
In most of what you read — from blog posts to nonfiction books to journalism, speeches, and literature — you’ll find plenty of sentences beginning with a conjunction.
The Chicago Manual of Style has this to say about it:
“There is a widespread belief—one with no historical or grammatical foundation—that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction such as and, but or so. In fact, a substantial percentage (often as many as 10 percent) of the sentences in first-rate writing begin with conjunctions. It has been so for centuries, and even the most conservative grammarians have followed this practice.”
Besides, there are good reasons for starting a sentence with a conjunction. Sentences that drag on can be confusing. And sometimes, you need a longer pause between connected thoughts.
When it comes to subordinating conjunctions, as long as the word, phrase, or clause introduced by it is followed by an independent clause, you have a complete thought — not a fragment.
Here are some more examples with the subordinating conjunctions in bold:
- “As soon as they left, I had another slice of cake.”
- “Before I promise anything, I need to hear him say the words.”
- “Only if you promise to clean the kitchen will I cook this evening.“
- “Unless I finish early, I won’t be able to attend the wedding.”
- “Whenever he looks at me that way, I get the strangest feeling.”
Correlative conjunctions have to occupy a specific place in a sentence for the words, phrases, or clauses they link together. And as long as you have an independent clause after the second part of the conjunction, you have a complete sentence.
- “Either he goes or I go.”
- “Not only did she get out of bed, but (also) she cleaned the kitchen.”
- “Neither he nor she will tell me what happened that night.”
- “Both her doctor and her boss agree she should stay home.”
- “Whether they win or lose, they’ve given me hope.”
More Conjunction Questions
Here are a few other questions you might run across or think of while writing.
#1 — Can you start a sentence with yet?
“Yet” is a coordinating conjunction, and yes, it can come at the beginning of a sentence, though it’s less common than starting a sentence with “and” or “but.”
Just make sure an independent clause comes after it.
For example:
- Incorrect: “Yet again.”
- Correct: “Yet she never complained.”
#2 — Can you start a sentence with when?
“When” is a subordinating conjunction, so you follow the rule to ensure you’re not creating a fragment:
“When” + <word, phrase, or clause)> + <independent clause>.
For example:
- Incorrect: “When I called to check on him.”
- Correct: “When I called to check on him, he didn’t answer.”
- Correct: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Now you can comfortably start a sentence with and or but.
Now that you have a better understanding of when you can start a sentence with a conjunction — and how to do it correctly — you can write with more confidence.
When in doubt, it’s better to consult a style guide that reflects modern English usage. Your grade school teachers did their best. But even they know they’re not infallible.
Yes, you’ll still run across people who will tell you it’s “not correct” to start a sentence with a conjunction. Feel free to direct them to this post. All are welcome here.
