ESL General English Grammar Questions

ESL General English Grammar Questionshttp://www.englishforums.com/English/EslGeneralEnglishGrammar-Questions/Forum12.htmAsk your questions on grammar and get your sentence checked. We answer lots of different types of general English grammar questions here. <font color=red>DO NOT post paragraphs and compositions here. Post them in our <a href="http://www.englishforums.com/English/EssayReportCompositionWriting/Forum9.htm"><b>Essay, Report and Composition Writing Forum</b></a>.</font>enXMOD (Build: 3616.28671)Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/2/dvmc/Post.htm#693431Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:51:04 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:693431Anonymous0http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/2/dvmc/Post.htm#693431http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-693431.xmlI had been taught this aswell. But(couldnt resist) I have noticed in my writing I start with but quite often. I have been reading quite a bit of Stephen King recently, and he does it quite often actually. *shrugs*Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/2/dvmc/Post.htm#688319Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:10:08 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:688319Anonymous1http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/2/dvmc/Post.htm#688319http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-688319.xmlThis is what I understood too. When you are writting formally you should not use AND or BUT. If it's a point of emphasis then you could could use AND or BUT. I stay away from using AND or BUT at the beginning of a sentence, i guess I'm old school.Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/2/dvmc/Post.htm#653127Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:653127Anonymous2http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/2/dvmc/Post.htm#653127http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-653127.xmlYes, you can begin a sentence with but. I have gone to three writing sites and they all agree that while it may be a less formal way of writing it is totally acceptableRe: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/2/dvmc/Post.htm#579450Tue, 26 May 2009 19:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:579450kellyconnoro3http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/2/dvmc/Post.htm#579450http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-579450.xmlThe general grammatical rule as per the U.S.'s MLA (Modern Language Association) is that a comma and a coordinating conjunction ("fanboys" - for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) connect two sentences together. The coordinating conjunction does just that, coordinates the meaning of the two either in comparison or in contrast to one another. For this reason, many English instructors "follow the rules" to teach the best possible way to convey meaning using symbols and usage familiar to the majority of readers. However, American modern and post-modern writers have been differentiating themselves along the historical trail by playing with language in all of its forms and structures. As per other examples in American...Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#563919Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:563919Anonymous4http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#563919http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-563919.xmlConjunction are not to be used at the beginning of a sentence, since it creates an incomplete thought. For example it would be improper to say: However, it IS acceptable to use "and" and "but" as you might "in addition" or "however". It depends on your thought and sentence structure.Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#513317Tue, 26 May 2009 19:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:513317Anonymous5http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#513317http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-513317.xmlThe use of the word 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentence is an informal style of writing that is useful for emphasising a particular point. In my opinion it is acceptable to use the word 'and' to start a sentence as long as it continues an argumentative point as opposed to adding description. Here are some examples: (incorrect) There are five people in the car. And they are wearing seatbelts. (correct) Michael's car was his favourite colour, red. And, in choosing this particular colour, Michael had also considered the effect of depreciation on the future resale value.Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#18893Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:18893Elena6http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#18893http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-18893.xmlI understand official documents have to be written following rules and exam papers, essays, practical reports, and so, too. But if you are talking about Literature all styles are valid. That's my view. Remember how trellis answered questions here at EF? He had his personal style that made his anwsers look like pieces of painting, he alternated lines with several words followed by lines with an unique word, those unique words used to be "and", "but". Besides, he added humour to the anwers and this, plus his accurate explanations were very good for us because we didn't have to put any effort in remembering, the rule or the explanation got impressed in mind easily. I miss his answers, he even was willing to proofread long writings, not...Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#18889Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:18889suzi7http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#18889http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-18889.xmlThe Bible and Shakespeare and anyone else who wrote their texts pre-1760 are full of such examples, cos that's (approximately) the date when the "rule book" that has shaped our sense of "correct" style was published!Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#18860Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:18860pedant8http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#18860http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-18860.xmlIt is still a point of contention, but most authorities now accept "and" and "but" as perfectly good ways to begin sentences. Lord knows the Bible is filled with such examples.Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#18829Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:18829louisthu9http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#18829http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-18829.xmlInstead of AND, you can also start the sentence with 'In addition, Furthermore, Moreover'. Those have the same meaning of And. Instead of starting the sentence with But, I join the two sentence. ex.. I am ............ ,but ............... (1st sentence + comma + but+ 2nd sentence)Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#18821Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:18821suzi10http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#18821http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-18821.xmlit is one of those pretty pointless old rules, some ppl will still be sniffy about it. Indeed, it still seems odd to me to see "and" as sentencer opener, "but" seems increasingly OK, if the situation needs it!Re: 'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#16106Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:16106Mike in Japan11http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htm#16106http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-16106.xmlI was taught the same thing. Generally, conjunctions should be used to join clauses, not to begin sentences. Does anyone have an other opinion?'and' or 'but' at the beginning of a sentencehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htmThu, 26 Feb 2009 20:41:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:16101Guest12http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndBeginningSentence/dvmc/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-16101.xmlI was always taught that you should never begin a sentence with the words: and or but, etc...is this true, because recently a professional writer said that you can begin a sentence that way and she does so all the time.