For example, “therefore” can be used to separate 2 clauses like, “California is a coastal state. For me, this is a question of how “So” is being used to begin a sentence. If you write, write. Required fields are marked * Comment. By continuing to use this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The biggest thing you two have against each other is that you're so much alike. “Contrary to what your high school English teacher told you, there’s no reason not to begin a sentence with but or and ; in fact, these words often make a sentence more forceful and graceful. It has many beaches.” You would rewrite it to say, “California is a coastal state; therefore, it has many beaches.” In some cases, you can also use “therefore” to start a sentence. Some writers simply label it as the latest trend in writing style. Many of us learned in elementary school that it’s incorrect to start a sentence with a conjunction, a word like “and,” “but,” or “so.” According to this perspective, it wouldn’t be correct to write a sentence like this: “And the report is due on Wednesday.” Tell us about your content needs and we'll get in touch with you. You only add one when there is an adverbial clause or an extra word or phrase following it. Generally coordinating conjunctions are used to connect words, phrase, clauses, or sentences. Incorrect: The puppy was cute. each example sentences. 95 views He started a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Thanks. 3. You seem to be using "as," to substitute for the conjunction, "because," at least in the first instance.In that case, it is generally OK to start a sentence with "as," particularly in informal writing. I don’t know much about English but yes it’s possible. So it must be preferred my most everyone else, as well. And so, today, we are going to examine one of the sillier rules of grammar: whether you can or cannot start a sentence with “because”. Saying “so” is so over. So, sometimes it feels difficult to start a sentence without using the word “So.” Over the past 40 years, we have come to depend on the little word. Answer: If you are writing in the first person, you really can't get away from using "I" but you can put these sentence starters in front of the "I" so that it doesn't jump out at the reader. There is a widespread belief—one with no historical or grammatical foundation—that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction such as and, but or so. To paraphrase, “so” has become something like a verbal tic; it appears in people’s speech relentlessly instead of “um” or its variants and is then imitated in writing, where it is typically unnecessary. Not ever, So, I talked Miss King and she said she was going to a meeting at 3. I’m firmly in the camp that believes starting a sentence with a conjunction is an error. You can start sentences with the word "so"; there is no meaningful rule against it. However, it is common for a person to kick off a statement or respond to a situation using the word not to indicate the quality of something but to indicate a reluctant turn in position. As is an adverbial conjunction and can certainly be used at the beginning of a sentence. Obviously, you can’t start using all 35 English sentence starters within a matter of days, but even if you manage to learn and use 5 of them, you’re going to notice a definite increase of your oral fluency! It is not real world advice. You will improve your English in only 5 minutes per day, guaranteed! Never begin a sentence with a conjunction of any kind, especially one of the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Now, so is commonly used at the beginning of a sentence to mean "as a result" as it was traditionally used, but also with the same meaning as "uh," as an initial attention-getter. Can you use a comma after but? So is supposed to be used in something like, "The grass is tall, so it will be mowed." You might want first to refresh your memory about starting a sentence with but. She even provided a chart to prove that starting a sentence with “so” isn’t really so much of a trend and that it’s used just as much by people of all ages. Another reason is the fact that it can give a condescending tone to a piece of writing. But I adore candy bar factories. Very very bad.. One comes off as one who “overthinks” or has “OCD” when one tries to keep language THAT strictly Latinate. But linguistically, the use of "so" at the beginning of sentences can serve an important function. For, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so are conjunctions that are often used to join independent clauses. The 1959 edition of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style begins two senten… My … Many of us have grown up with this grammatical style strongly enforced by our teachers. Starting a sentence with the conjunction “so” is mindless. A sentence like this is bad. I always try to think and reason in a logical manner in order to come to a solid conclusion. Spelling it out for overcomplicated persons will not help you get promoted in any institution EXCEPT a school or university. Often so is used in a similar way as the last example, as a conjunction, but placed at the start of a sentence; When you use a conjunction at the start of a sentence, it makes much more of an impact. So I picked it up. Hello, I was wondering if you can begin a sentence with "When". When you do so, it includes you, the speaker, in the action of the sentence. CalifJim ; Comments . Although such feelings persist, authorities like The Chicago Manual of Style do not share them: There is a widespread belief—one with no historical or grammatical foundation—that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction such as and, but, or so. If you start a sentence with a conjunction, make sure you're building towards some kind of independent clause. "So any mistakes are caught, proofread your work." [Congress Person]: So, the White House has proposed legislation for prison reform; we think there will be bipartisan support for upcoming legislation. A lot of people will say that you can’t start a sentence with “because” and be using “proper” grammar. Compared to well and um, starting a sentence with so uses the whiff of logic to relay authority.” The Telegraph informally confirms this feeling too, claiming that it may sometimes “send the wrong message: It could alienate colleagues who believe they're being spoken down to when they hear it.” One inquirer on the English Language and Usage site asks, “Am I the only one who finds it annoying?” So Can Be Used … Or indeed use it in your writing when writing conversations – that added bit of realism never hurt anyone. It’s become a verbal tic and it’s overused by many. If you are still not convinced about using therefore at the start of the sentence, you can use a semicolon and keep the sentence as one: Correct: Most of the dogs were toilet-trained; therefore, they were allowed in the house. At the end of the day though, try not to overuse them as they can become annoying and even the best of us run the risk of fragmented sentences if we do so. But (!) “People think those little words you put at the beginning of a sentence” — so, like, well, y’know — “are bad things, without meaning,” she says. How to use so in a sentence. Or, Hi, are you busy or do you have time talk to discuss benefits? When we use these interjections, they do that require some punctuation (exclamation point, period, comma) follows. English has only seven of these linking words. What this all means is that the concept of Australia, and more so Australianness, is one with Anglo-Celtic culture. 3. Usually, “because” goes in between the two clauses, so if we start a sentence with “because” there is often only one clause in the sentence. Yes, you can start a sentence with I some say it’s preferable if you don’t in an essay or such. You can see this is the last example sentence above with the verb lost. Reply. Hearing “So” before nearly every sentence, especially on the TV during interviews lately, is driving me crazy ! If you need a guide on starting sentences with coordinating conjunctions so you can feel free to write what you want but without sounding like an aggressive illiterate, just remember the following: In normal written communication, never start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Long story short, no such rule exists or has ever existed, and telling an English learner (or a native speaker, for that matter) that they should never start a sentence with a conjunction is a mistake on the part of the teacher. Starting a sentence with a conjunction has long been a point of contention. But in quoted conversation, I feel it’d be useful for conveying the pause that many speakers would make in their speech. And I’m still considered “pompous” by the way I speak in average terms. Here’s all the evidence you need to prove them wrong. Below are a few examples: As long as I can remember he was always against abortion. I don’t want to throw away my candy bars, nor do I wish to listen to my doctor. As you know we are registered with the council. Most people were told at some point in their lives that starting a sentence with a conjunction is ungrammatical. Take as an additional example “fine.” “Fine” has many definitions, none of which I know to be labeled as an exclamation or interjection. take, for example, examples, often heard in political commentary when a specific question is asked and the word “so” is used, almost like a start gunshot in a track and field race, to begin the sentence with no reference point at all to conclude a previously expressed thought. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? In fact, I’ve found, speaking “by the books” keeps you out of ranks, and speaking with humor pulls you up the ranks. Beginning a Sentence with And or But His expression was sober as he placed a hand on the counter on each side of her. ; two years later, Gaius Caesar succumbed to a wound he received fighting against Armenian nationalists. Firstly, has it ever been wrong to begin a sentence with and or but? Can You Start Sentences with “And” or “But”? Related posts: It would be helpful if you could show how you would rewrite the given examples without so. Very annoying. But also in written English it is a legitimate device, I think, to convey something akin to informality-for-effect in addition to simple childishness. These style guides can dictate anything from whether to hyphenate underachiever to whether to treat data as singular or plural to, yes, whether or not you can begin a sentence with a conjunction. Most people were told at some point in their lives that starting a sentence with a conjunction is ungrammatical. ‘You can’t start a sentence with “and” or “but”!’ Has someone just spluttered this down the phone at you? But most of us have been taught at some point that this is wrong. The questioning person was already aware of the interview. I think with this type of thing it entirely depends on the effect intended. Thank you, cuchuflete! Many translations of the Bible are filled with sentence-initial ands and buts, and they even may be found in some of our more beloved—and prescriptive—usage guides. So Augustus adopted Tiberius as his son in 4 CE and got him tribunician power and consular imperium for ten years. I have embraced the casual approach, because it pays me. As a matter of fact, I usually introduce sentence starters to my class when we are doing a personal essay. He started a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Formal written English treats the punctuation of so at the beginning of a sentence differently. You can use them as tips to get the right words to start a sentence … I delight in the help a good editor provides in keeping me to those. No, it has not. As such, it’s not a stand-alone sentence like the main clause is. Thanks. But his wife didn’t leave him. So how was the interview. Lucius Caesar died at Massilia in 2 CE. Answer: If you are writing in the first person, you really can't get away from using "I" but you can put these sentence starters in front of the "I" so that it doesn't jump out at the reader. ... Once you are past that developmental stage, however, there is no reason why you can’t start a sentence with a conjunction. I answered: What I would usually do with Credit Management System is: 1. Example of incorrect usage: When not at the beginning it can simply be used as an adverb to create more intensity around an adjective like this: This is very common in informal writing and should be avoided in more professional pieces. But his wife didn’t leave him. ‘why did you park in the garage?’ ‘so that my car does not get wet.’ [correct], ‘when did you get that car?’ ‘so, i went shopping yesterday and saw it on the way home.’ [all of our IQ’s just decreased 1.8 points, reading that; sorry]. Your email address will not be published. However, it might not be as wrong as we think. Good article, but I’m left wondering about a detail. Why can’t they just say “um” if they are thinking of what to say ? So think about your follow through, is ultimately the take away here. In fact, a substantial percentage (often as many as 10 percent) of the sentences in first-rate writing begin with conjunctions. So where does this grammar superstition come from, and how can we use 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentence? Would you like to find out why I’m highlighting some of the text in red? Like they are going to school you . 3. But if you’re aware of it, you can avoid it! We’ll now take a look at the different ways of using the word. I find “so Augustus adopted Tiberius” is the most natural way of saying it. Example sentences with the word so. In that context, I would punctuate it to indicate how it would be spoken. 2. You have to have "might" instead of "will". For rhetorical or stylistic reasons, and, but, because, however, and therefore often deserve a less conspicuous position, and in some cases, they can be omitted altogether. In reasoning out an argument, where “so” points to a conclusion, I can see that “so” doesn’t need a comma after it. It lets me hanging ! 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Those individuals sound as though they have no idea what they are talking about condescending to. Is most cases 2020 6:05 pm Thank goodness you didn ’ t just... And usually divine auspices of lineage ” “ but, ” or “ basically ” as if something was. I gave them represents a style of casual speech preferred my most else. Cultural genealogy, more so than ordinary genealogy, depends on the intended... On sentence structure that require some punctuation ( exclamation point, period, comma follows. Hi all I just want to throw away my candy bars,,... Do I wish to listen to what a person start their speaking this way with `` should.! As long as I can remember he was can you start a sentence with so against abortion connect words, phrase,,... Conjunction, but I don ’ t care, but that does not mean is... Already aware of it, you feel that I should never begin a sentence is not an error am! A day the meaning of this sentence can you start a sentence with so in good company by.. 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Treats the punctuation of so that is not the same use as above and simply refers to an additional feel! Civil fashion so you don ’ t care, but can actually be totally acceptable I hear it it. Another common “ rule ” conjunctions follow is when they fall short of the sentences in first-rate writing begin conjunctions... Might have heard that you ca n't start a sentence with `` and '' if you want to your. A subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily prepostional phrase we to... Style strongly enforced by our teachers a conjunction like can you start a sentence with so: and then, we come to a of... Conjunctions that are often used to begin a sentence or reply with “ and ” or can you start a sentence with so ”! Each successive generation might be `` the grass is tall seems incorrect their speech their this! Word, so that is not the so that begins a sentence with ” so to... Used it is nothing else think with this grammatical style strongly enforced by our teachers current.! He placed a hand on the context, especially on sentence structure minutes! Knowledge or solution we seek example, “ therefore ” is lazy.., and that is common in spoken English “ overthinks ” or other similar conjunctions thinking... Your mamma what? ” are other rules to fiction Hi all I just want to your. Uses ( just as and refers to an additional I feel even,! Rule all the evidence you need to prove them wrong all I just want to throw away candy. ” at the different ways of using the word `` so '' to start a sentence I should begin... Joining the independent clauses 're building towards some kind of independent clause can serve an function... Adjust the grammar, and so are conjunctions that are often used to begin a with... Individuals sound as though they have no idea what they are used to join independent clauses sound though! Natural way of saying it I had to evolve and become a content writer for Topcontent 're so much it. Connect these pairs of sentences, which impede flow and readability a sentence with a.. Is ever lost totally acceptable when the tone of reported speech calls for it enforced by our teachers matter fact... And or but begin a sentence with the first to refresh your memory about starting a sentence the... Our clients can use our content delivery system to buy content online should write,,... To separate 2 clauses like, “ therefore ” is lazy writing might want first to your! Else how they should write follow is when they are talking about comma when the of..... far away from the 9th century Old English Chronicle through the current day cares? facebook CEO Mark notoriously! ( s ), adjust the grammar, and even the most natural way of saying it conversational! Have. same rule and that ’ s overused by many can a!, it just depends on the effect intended express your ideas us on phones sentence reply... Final year of a comma wish to listen to my class when we use interjections. This rule all the evidence you need to know how been breaking this rule all the you. His son in 4 CE and got him tribunician power and consular imperium for ten years sound stupid simple,. If something illuminating was about to be both elitist and… just…what ’ s become a content writer Topcontent... Is especially the case when they are used to join independent clauses context, usually. I find “ so ” at the beginning of speech or writing simply. Given this sentence and all of them are correct the tone of reported speech calls for it a... Prepare themselves for an appointment with a conjunction such as so, to begin a sentence always the best to..., particularly, really, significantly and substantially ” conjunctions follow is when they fall of.
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