And and But?

[Sue2]

Hi and good to be here with you all. After receiving the e-mails for a long time I've often wondered whether to join the Forum, but never been brave enough, but - here I am - before I lose my nerve!

I just have to ask this question as I've always been taught NEVER to use And or But at the start of a sentence, but now I see both used as sentence openers in books and papers as well as forums so I know it isn't just a slang way of writing.

Please, could someone tell me whether it really is an accepted way to write or simply one of laziness?

Thank you in advance.

Sue

[Barb_D]

Hello Sue.
In modern writing, you'll find "And" and "But" starting sentences in all but the most formal writing.

[Sue2]

Hi Barb and thanks so much for your reply. I guessed this might be the accepted way these days, but I don't think I could use either as it just doesn't seem right to me. Still, it's a changing world!

Thanks Barb, much appreciated.

Sue

[MrPedantic]

Almost every sentence in the King James translation of the Bible, and almost every other sentence in Sir Thomas Malory's works, and more than a few sentences in Shakespeare's plays begin with "And" or "But". So it isn't an entirely new phenomenon. On the other hand, too many Ands and Buts can sound mannered.

MrP

[Sue2]

Many thanks Mr P, points noted.

Sue