eslHQ Home
User Name Password
Lost Password? | Join eslHQ.com, it's FREE!
View today's posts
Search Extras Help   

Reply
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Unread Nov 10th, 2010, 11:34 am
eslHQ Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Feb 25th, 2008
Posts: 43
Tanialoves is on a distinguished road
Default can and/but start a sentence?

When I was a student, all my teacher used to say that and/but can't be used at the beginning of sentences, especially in writing.

Speaking about Academic Writing, it is possible to use however/nevertheless instead of but, for example. What about everyday correspondence? Aren't however and nevertheless too formal for it?

Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Unread Nov 10th, 2010, 12:40 pm
Sue
 
Join Date: Oct 8th, 2006
Location: Milan
Posts: 1,406
susan53 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: can and/but start a sentence?

Yes. In academic style you'd probably avoid it. But in other styles it's fine.

Here is an example of "But" in sentence initial position from journalistic style -an article from the Easyjet in-flight magazine called Sweet Charity.

The 36,000 runners who pounded the course at this year's london marathon have long since recovered from their blisters and aching limbs. But for Zarine Kharas, the work is far from over.

And here's another one :

By and large the charities don't begrudge it for taking the hassle out of collecting so much cash on their behalf. But should moneymaking mix with the charity world?

In this online article in The Guardian both "And" and "But" are used not only to start sentences, but also to begin paragraphs. If you look at it you'll find 4 examples of "But" being used initially and one of "And":

And we must stop the situation in which the government can take 30 days or more to pay producers.


"Or" is used in the same way - Here's an extract from an article on cricket :
Are we really to believe that a first-class team can make 123 in 6.1 overs against first-class opposition? Or that Salman Butt, whose fastest innings in terms of strike-rate in the international arena is 36 from 31 balls, could make 92 from 25 balls?

However, "but" is the most common - here's yet another article at random - it has four initial uses of "But" and none of the others.
__________________
An ELT Notebook
The DELTA Course
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Unread Nov 11th, 2010, 04:28 am
eslHQ Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Feb 25th, 2008
Posts: 43
Tanialoves is on a distinguished road
Default Re: can and/but start a sentence?

Thanks :-)
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads Replies
Over 50 ESL positions for June, July, August start. Reputable schools all over Korea 0
Over 50 vacancies all over S.Korea for June, July, August start. Come, teach, enjoy! 0
FREE housing+airfare! ASAP to Sept Start! ESL jobs throughout S. Korea. CLICK! 0

Find the Best TEFL, TESL, TESOL & CELTA Certification Courses - User Submitted Ratings & Reviews for Online, Distance & Abroad TEFL Courses. Over 3,500 reviews of 100+ TEFL schools!

Teach English in Thailand - Onsite and Combined TEFL certification courses in Phuket, Thailand.


Free ESL Flashcards


Similar Threads Replies
Over 50 ESL positions for June, July, August start. Reputable schools all over Korea 0
Over 50 vacancies all over S.Korea for June, July, August start. Come, teach, enjoy! 0
FREE housing+airfare! ASAP to Sept Start! ESL jobs throughout S. Korea. CLICK! 0


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:20 am.

All materials from this website are for classroom-use only. Digital redistribution of materials, in part or in whole, is strictly forbidden!

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2