Can you start sentences with but

Where can they turn for confirmation and comfort? The Bible is always a good place. Looking around online, I see some arguing that using the Bible as a work of English literature is pushing the envelope. Please pardon the mixed metaphors. Why were we taught this non-rule rule about not starting sentences with conjunctions?

Several authorities seem to think it was done to prevent school kids from writing as they often talk:. And we decided to go to the mall. And while we were there we saw a whole bunch of our friends.

And they were just hanging out like we were. But when we got to the ice-cream parlor, he found that he had left his wallet at home. I think that sprinkling in an and and a but to begin a sentence here and there can break up the monotony of writing. I think if you do it correctly, it can add to the writing and actually make it better. Despite what you may have been told at school, you can start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction e. It is worth noting, however, that starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction still looks nonconformist to many people, so you are advised to reserve this practice for impact.

Got it? Take a quick test. Ready for the Test? Do not begin a sentence with however or a similar unimportant word. Or never begins a sentence, paragraph, or chapter. Never begin a sentence—or a clause—with also. Meiklejohn, The Art of Writing English , Teach the elimination of but , so , and , because , at the beginning of a sentence. A sentence should not commence with the conjunctions and, for, or however 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. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Yes, you can begin with however or in contrast or on the other hand. But now we know that beginning with but is fine for formal legal documents, gives us a tool for managing emphasis, and makes a great connector. In July we went to Six Flags. But it rained that day. But my mom said we could go again later. But I really wanted to go.