I remember how my English teacher could squeal at the top of her voice, “you should never begin a sentence with coordinating conjunctions!” And the rule stuck with me all the time, because I thought she was right, until recently when I discovered the truth. Of course, to some extend she was right. Or maybe she was also a victim like me–mislead by her teachers, and her mistake is that she never bothered to find the truth. Now, let me break it down for you:
Yes, you can start a sentence with any word as long as it makes sense. But why do high school teachers insist on not starting sentences with coordinating conjunctions?
Simple; they do so because they want to prevent you from creating fragments for sentences. Like you already know, a high school kid can easily get confused. And I myself (don’t correct me for using “I” and “myself” simultaneously. I did it on purpose) would tell my students the same thing if I were a high school teacher. And you too, should if you’re a teacher.
That said, I’ll still advise high school students to avoid starting sentences with conjunctions lest they want to offend their teachers (and the consequences are bad grades. Do you want that?) Similarly, if you’re in college, doing a diploma, degree or MBA; don’t start your sentences with conjunctions; or else, your old school lecturers will find a reason to fail you.
Back to the real thing; now, like I’ve already mentioned, you can start a sentence with absolutely anything as long as you do not end up creating a fragment or a dependent clause for a full sentence. And by that I mean, starting sentences with for, and, nor, because, or, yet or so.
For Christians, the bible has several sentences with conjunctions at the beginning; and if the bible can break the rules, who are you not to break them. Another Jesus!
Whoops! I tend to deviate from the main point easily, especially when I have plenty of distracting ideas loitering in my damn head. But at least I can apologize. Now, before such thoughts return, let me explain something imperative to our topic of discussion today.
Every time you use a coordinating conjunction at the beginning of sentences, you should ensure that it is followed by an independent conjunction. In simple words, if you remove the conjunction, what remains should represent a full thought, or should be a clause that can stand on its own. For example:
Example 1:
And by the time she came, we had already left. (Correct)
Please note; if we remove “and”, the sentence would still be complete, “by the time she came, we had already left.”
Example 2
For how long have you been seeing her? (Correct).
How long have you been seeing her? (That’s a complete sentence).
Example 3
Or her late dad. (Wrong)
Her late dad. (This is not a complete thought; as a result, it doesn’t qualify to be a sentence).
Now, if you’ve been keen to observe; most writers prefer starting sentences with conjunctions. Why? Why can’t these writers use transitional adverbs (like moreover, additionally, in addition, furthermore and the rest) instead?
Simple; conjunctions are actually good at creating flow if used at the beginning of sentences. But most importantly, they’re seemingly not stuffy or stilt. As a result, they are recommended for a friendly or conversational writing. But whenever you use them, ensure that you only use them with restraints. Otherwise, I’ll be using this trite on you, “an excess of anything is some sort of venom.” ha-ha!
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