Job Discussion Forums

[Taishan]

Does anyone know if 'and' at the beginning of a sentence is incorrect in American English? eg. '..........blah blah. And that was the...........'

I've always been taught that this was wrong or just bad english. Is this correct in US English?

[thelmadatter]

Grammar mavens will tell you that it is incorrect; however in regular, casual speech it is done all the time. I do it as well. "but" and "or" also fall into the same category as "and" (coordinating conjunctions).

I teach composition, and I do not allow my students to begin sentences with coordinating conjunctions. It's one of my personal bugaboos, and I figure that since they are supposed to proofread and edit, they can look for this problem. In speech, I don't feel that it is something they should worry about.

My 2 cents.

[Joe Gahona]

It's fine in U.S. English.

[denise]

I'm with thelmadatter--I don't let my students do it in writing, but when they are speaking, "rules" are more flexible.

d

[Glenski]

Depends on what type of writing.

Academic writing. Not usually permitted.
Prose. It's ok. Just pick up any novel and you'll see it. It is usually used for emphasis.

Speaking? Formally a no-no. Informally, ok.

[guest of Japan]

I'm in agreement with Glenski. It is generally considered to be incorrect, but it is often used in prose to add emphasis. It has no place in an academic composition.

In speech, there is a lot of flexibility. As long as the listeners can understand the meaning, then the speaker was successful. An extra "and" is unlikely to interfere with comprehension. In fact it is likely to aid it.

[waygukgaijinhaole]

I have always been taught and teach that it is "incorrect" to start a sentence with 'and.' (I'm American.) I think the learners should know the formal rules, but also know that they will, as Glenski put it, "pick up any novel and...see it." I had a creative writing professor tell me once to "know all the rules and how to follow them, in order to properly break them." Sounds good.

[dmb]

And I agree with the the previous posters.

[Cardinal Synn]

I agree with Glenski on this one. Beginning a sentence with "and", or even "but" can be very useful in conveying a certain feel or meaning when writing prose. You just have to look at the work of some modern writers to see how flexible the "rules" have become. Irvine Welsh for example.

[Taishan]

OK, I'll take that as generally a no, but with exceptions. My students are only at a basic level, in an American English book and seem to rely on this as a tool in their sentence construction (as it's in the book). I didn't want to get on their case until I knew that it was really wrong in US English. Thanks for the help. Obviously I wouldn't mark them down for using it now, but for repeated use I would, and I certainly wouldn't mind if it was used in speech.

[Tamara]

Bill Walsh (copy desk chief for the Washington Post) in Lapsing into a Comma says it's fine to begin sentences with conjunctions.

[nomadder]

And don't use because either at the beginning. Because...it's bad.

[juststeven]

Don't you just love the English language? How many ways we say the same thing. Our language has depth, all right; it's full of clauses, and syntax and confusing linear demands in it's structure. When an Arab asks me, "That you car?" I understand. After six weeks of teaching them our language, from the present tense to the progressive(continuous) they come to me and say, "Teacher, go bathroom"!

[Gordon]

[carnac]

And permit me to add one more thing. Because it's important. "confusing linear demands in it's structure": "it's" is NOT possessive. Please. But, you knew that, right? So we agree it's a worse sin than beginning a sentence with a conjunction? Or I'll have to take you out and shoot you. After hanging you by the thumbs. Since it's the right thing to do. Although a plea for typographical leniency might be considered by the jury. Unless it was done intentionally. Whereas, if this were the case, no mercy could be permitted.