Is it okay to start sentences with "But" or "And"? Forum

[zeglo]

.

[Lawcat11]

I mean, I personally wouldn't do it, but I think you could get away with it if you did it once or twice. Also, you might want to pay attention to the proper use of apostrophes.

[Poldy]

I find myself relying on starting sentences with "But" or "And", traditionally grammar no-no's. But the sentences sound great. (See what I did there?)

Do law schools care about this?

No, the sentences don't "sound great", they sound like they should be attached to previous sentence.

[rpupkin]

I find myself relying on starting sentences with "But" or "And", traditionally grammar no-no's. But the sentences sound great. (See what I did there?)

Do law schools care about this?

If they do, the shouldn't. It's perfectly acceptable to start sentences with "But" or "And"; it's not a "grammar no-no."

Most good legal writers frequently start sentences with "But." It's generally better to start a sentence with "But X . . ." than with "However, X . . ."

[Nekrowizard]

Of course it's fine to do it. Matthew Arnold started an entire chapter of Culture and Anarchy with a "but." Anybody who tells you it's not okay is semi-illiterate.

[Lawcat11]

I think "but" is a lot better sounding than "and" as a sentence starter, though.

[lacrossebrother]

Obviously. Grammar is important to (a) avoid ambiguity and (b) improve readability. A grammar "nazi" who condemned starting a sentence with a contraction would just be a bad grammar nazi.

[rpupkin]

I think "but" is a lot better sounding than "and" as a sentence starter, though.

I'm not sure it "sounds better." It's just more common because "but" suggests a contrast, and you'll often want to confine a contrasting idea to its own sentence.

[zeglo]

.

[zeglo]

.

[Bildungsroman]

Yes. Good writers frequently start sentences with "but" and "and." The prohibition on doing so is grammatically unfounded and an obstacle to effective writing, just like the aversion to starting a sentence with "because."

http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qan ... q0013.html

[Nekrowizard]

Wow, fierce responses. I appreciate the feedback, but the veiled arrogance is a bit much. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts.

My bad. I wasn't trying to veil it. :)))))))))))

[kaiser]

Depends on the circumstances and how it sounds. Totally false to think that there is some formal rule that you shouldn't start a sentence with "and" or "but". Much of grammar is not hard rules like they lead you to believe in grade school. Its just that, when you are young, its easier to teach things in those kinds of absolutes (i.e. NEVER EVER EVER start a sentence with "and"!!!)

[zeglo]

.

[smaug]

Yes. Good writers frequently start sentences with "but" and "and." The prohibition on doing so is grammatically unfounded and an obstacle to effective writing, just like the aversion to starting a sentence with "because."

http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qan ... q0013.html

I find myself relying on starting sentences with "But" or "And", traditionally grammar no-no's. But the sentences sound great. (See what I did there?)

Do law schools care about this?

If they do, the shouldn't. It's perfectly acceptable to start sentences with "But" or "And"; it's not a "grammar no-no."

Most good legal writers frequently start sentences with "But." It's generally better to start a sentence with "But X . . ." than with "However, X . . ."

+1

It's good style and common in legal writing.

[stego]

No, it's definitely not even remotely OK. But who gives a shit?

[kaiser]

Once you are in legal practice, you will see lawyers intentionally start sentences with "and", "but" and "because" with relative frequency. Again, you don't do it all the time. But its certainly not uncommon.

[rpupkin]

Wow, fierce responses. I appreciate the feedback, but the veiled arrogance is a bit much. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts.

If this level of "veiled arrogance" bothers you, I suggest reconsidering your choice of profession.

[pancakes3]

It's not about how many conjunctions you use to start sentences but how you use them that matters.

[BigZuck]

Saw Bryan Garner say it was ok IRL so yeah it's ok

/name drop

[rpupkin]

Saw Bryan Garner say it was ok IRL so yeah it's ok

/name drop

unveiled arrogance