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There’s a common English language myth that teaches us how certain words cannot be used at the start of a sentence. While there are always exceptions, you can start sentences with more words than you realize. This article will look at starting a sentence with also.

You can start a sentence with “also” when using it to continue on from the point in the previous sentence. It is possible to use a wide range of adverbs like “also” in this way. However, it doesn’t make sense if it doesn’t link back to a previous sentence.

We typically use “also” at the start of a sentence to add more information. It works in the same way as you’d expect when we place it in the middle of a sentence, which helps us when it comes to explaining the intricacies of the word.

What Does “Also” Mean At The Beginning Of A Sentence?

So, why would we use “also” at the start of a sentence?

We simply use “also” in the same way we might use “and” or “furthermore.” It’s a continuation argument that helps us to elaborate on our point.

Most of the reason comes down to writing style. Sometimes, you might see the following sentence:

• He didn’t want to be there, and he wasn’t going to make it out, also he wasn’t sure whether it was worth his time.

While there isn’t anything strictly wrong with the above sentence, it’s far too lengthy. Many readers will back away from wanting to read a sentence like the above one.

Instead, you can do the following:

• He didn’t want to be there, and he wasn’t going to make it out. Also, he wasn’t sure whether it was worth his time.

Here, we’ve added a period before “also” and a comma after. This is correct punctuation for starting a new sentence with “also.” Remember, though; you must link back to the previous sentence and expand on the idea presented.

The following example won’t be enough on its own:

• Also, I had much to tell her.

Because there isn’t anything to link “also” back to.

Examples Of How To Use “Also” At The Beginning Of A Sentence

Some more examples will help you to get to grips with starting a sentence with “also.” Once you’ve read through these, you’ll be a master of the language rules surrounding it.

1. He didn’t want to go and see her, so he thought he’d stay at home. Also, he’s probably not in her best books at the minute.
2. We weren’t going to be there because we knew there was a lot to do. Also, it didn’t really strike us as a fun day out.
3. You shouldn’t have come here because we now have to work twice as hard. Also, you’re never much use for the team.
4. The government made a pledge to protect local wildlife. Also, they seemed to have taken more of an active stand on nature conservation.
5. The teachers didn’t want to tell the children what to do for their homework. Also, the students weren’t exactly the easiest children to talk to.

“Also” works at the start of a sentence to continue on from the previous point. It works in the same way as “and,” but we use it at the start of a sentence when the previous sentence already has too many words or an extra clause in it.

Where Should I Place The Comma When Using “Also” At The Beginning Of A Sentence?

You might have noticed some of the punctuation rules already that come with “also.” You should learn how to punctuate it at the beginning of a sentence before using it and potentially getting it wrong.

You should place a comma after “also” at the beginning of a sentence. There are no other rules for comma placement, but you must always place a comma with no exceptions.

You can see that from the following examples:

• Correct: He didn’t want to go. Also, she wasn’t offering anyway.
• Incorrect: I didn’t have to be there. Also no one else did!

Without the comma, “also” doesn’t make sense. It’s supposed to add additional detail to the sentence to show us that there’s another point or thing that needs to be raised in the argument.

If we removed “also” from the sentence, the overall meaning should stay the same:

• Also, she wasn’t offering anyway.
• She wasn’t offering anyway.

Is It Informal To Use “Also” At The Beginning Of A Sentence?

Some people might be worried about the formality of using “also” in this way. While there are a few misconceptions surrounding starting sentences with words like “also,” does that mean they’re not formal?

There is nothing wrong with starting a sentence with “also” in both formal and informal writing. However, it’s more likely that you’ll come across it informally since there are better formal options.

You might prefer a formal alternative such as “furthermore.” This is much more common in most formal pieces of writing, especially when introducing an idea that you want to engage the readers with.

There are plenty of other options too, which show that “also” isn’t the best choice. However, “also” isn’t an informal word, which is why it’s possible to use it no matter what tone you’re writing with.

The only issue you might come across is the rarity of starting a sentence with “also.” It’s not something that’s done often. Most people would prefer a simpler “and” in place of it (even with formal writing).

Alternatives To Starting A Sentence With “Also”

Finally, let’s go over some alternatives to starting a sentence with “also.” The synonyms that we’ll highlight here can all start sentences in similar ways, so they make for excellent replacements instead of “also.”

• And
• Furthermore
• Surely
• Besides
• Not to mention
• Without forgetting
• To add
• In addition
• Along with that
• Don’t forget

These synonyms are all potential replacements for “also.” “Furthermore” is the best formal choice, while “and” is the best informal choice (though they are both interchangeable as well).