Time and Again at Beginning of Sentence

The motion picture Finding Forrester tells a story of a high schoolhouse student who becomes friends with a famous writer named William Forrester.

Forrester published a single book, then withdrew from public life.

Forrester teaches the pupil about writing. In i scene, he gives this piece of advice:

"You should never start a judgement with a conjunction… It's a firm rule."

In today'south program, we are going to explore that "rule." Should writers not use conjunctions such every bit only and and at the beginning of a sentence?

What are coordinating conjunctions?

Many writing students are confused nigh conjunctions. Perhaps their instructor told them they should never write sentences that brainstorm with conjunctions. Yet, they accept seen sentences start with conjunctions in newspapers and books.

Then, should you or shouldn't you? Earlier we answer the question, hither are some important definitions.

But and and come up from a group of words called coordinating conjunctions. These words connect 2 or more structures.

Consider this example:

I disapproved of his study habits, and I told him and so.

This example sentence has ii independent clauses. An independent clause is a group of words that could brand a complete judgement.

Allow'south study the sentence closely.

The sentence has a subject, I, and a predicate, disapproved of his study habits. The second role of the sentence, I told him so, likewise has a bailiwick, I, and a predicate, told him so.

What about merely? Here is an instance:

She claimed to be the best student in her course, merely I suspect she's joking.

One time again, this sentence has 2 independent clauses joined by a conjunction.

The important betoken, writes English grammar good Martha Kolln, is that analogous conjunctions connect structures as equals. They testify that structures or ideas take an equal weight or importance in the sentence.

There is a difference, notwithstanding. And shows that the structures get together; but shows that the structures contrast.

Conjunctions can exist used with a variety of punctuations, notes Max Morenberg, an English language grammar adept. They tin even connect ii or more sentences.

Using conjunctions to connect sentences can show how ideas relate to 1 some other beyond sentences. The use of conjunctions tin also requite a certain flow - or abruptness - to a writer's sentences.

Conjunctions and Manner

Permit's look at famous examples from literature.

Novelist Vladimir Nabokov is famous for the beautiful style he uses language. Most critics say his 1955 volume, Lolita, is a classic.

If you read the book, yous will notice that Nabokov sometimes starts sentences with conjunctions.

In ane of the first lines of Lolita, Nabokov uses but to start a sentence:

"She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was always Lolita."

​In this example, Nabokov creates a pattern in the first two sentences. So, he breaks the pattern by using a different sentence structure.

The discussion but helps to bear witness a contrast between ideas, and it also helps to create a mix of sentence styles.

Nabokov's use of but at the beginning of the sentence lends a poetic quality. The word adds involvement and drama.

Nabokov also uses "and" to begin a judgement

Nabokov used and at the beginning of a judgement, too.

At the finish of Lolita, the lead graphic symbol Humbert Humbert is writing a adieu to Lolita that he knows she will never read.

In the last paragraph, and begins several sentences. The usage gives the reader the idea that each sentence holds equal importance. It also gives the reader the feeling that Humbert is writing the thoughts as quickly as they enter his mind.

Consider the last two sentences of Lolita:

"I am thinking of aurochs and angels, the secret of durable pigments, prophetic sonnets, the refuge of art. And this is the only immortality you and I may share, my Lolita.

Should you use conjunctions at the beginning of a judgement?

You lot might remember that you should begin writing sentences that brainstorm with conjunctions. Nabokov did it! So did other famous writers, such equally Jane Austen and Mark Twain.

We suggest that you exist careful most using conjunctions at the beginning of sentences.

Teachers have adept reasons for repeating this rule.

First, students often utilize conjunctions incorrectly. This can confuse the reader.

Second, many students use conjunctions too often. This creates a repetitive writing style. Remember: you should employ many different sentence structures when you are writing.

Think of Nabokov's writing – he used conjunctions to give style to his writing. He did not brainstorm every sentence in the same fashion!

What can you do?

We started this report with a question: can you begin a judgement with a conjunction?

The answer is yep.

Should y'all brainstorm a judgement or a paragraph with a conjunction?

That answer depends on your writing power.

The side by side time yous are reading the news or a book, try to wait for examples of but or and at the beginning of a sentence. Enquire yourself why the writer formed the judgement that way. Does the choice make stylistic sense?

The process of mastering conjunctions tin be difficult and lengthy.

But y'all volition brand progress -- with time. And we will be here to assistance!

I'one thousand John Russell.

And I'thousand Pete Musto.

John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

We want to hear from y'all. Write to us in the Comments Department.

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Words in This Story

conjunction – northward. grammer a word that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words

coordinating conjunction – n. a conjunction (such as and, or, or but) that joins together words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance

clause – n. grammer a part of a sentence that has its own bailiwick and verb

controversial – adj. relating to or causing much word, disagreement, or argument

contrast – northward. something that is different from another thing — + to

aurochs – north. large, blackness European wild ox, extinct since 1627.

pigment – north. a substance that gives color to something else

immortality – northward. the quality or country of someone or something that will never die or be forgotten

repetitive – north. happening again and again: repeated many times

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Source: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammer-starting-sentences-with-conjunctions/3960264.html