Can you begin a sentence with but?

There's no rule against beginning a sentence with but. Sure, it's a wise admonition from middle-school English teachers that novice writers avoid beginning a series of sentences with but. In July we went to Six Flags. But it rained that day.

Is it incorrect to start a sentence with but?

Answer: It is completely acceptable to begin a sentence with the words and, but, and or. Conjunction words like these join together sentences, clauses, or phrases. Other times, it might be better to use a different word, such as, however.

When can you start a sentence with but?

“But” is conjunction. According to sources including Merriam-Webster, conjunction is used to join words, phrases, clauses, and sentences. Because of this, it is perfectly proper to use “but” to begin a sentence that continues an idea expressed in the previous one.

Can you start a sentence with but UK?

Kingsley Amis, The King's English (1997)

'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. They are almost always better than beginning with however or additionally.

What words can you not start a sentence with?

Words that can and can't be used to begin a sentence: And, because, it.

Can you start a sentence with ‘but’ or ‘and’?

Is but grammatically correct?

That means they're independent clauses, so you need to use a comma before but. When you don't have two independent clauses, leave the comma out. I would go for a walk, but for the rain. This time, but is connecting an independent clause to a dependent clause.

Can I start a sentence with but in my college essay?

College essays should have an informal tone. It's okay to write a fragment. Sometimes, fragments can even be powerful. It's okay to start a sentence with “but.” We know your English teacher likely told you in fifth grade that you should never start a sentence with “but.” BUT, on college essays, you sure can!

What word can I use instead of but?

Can we use but in email?

You can skip the word 'but' and write what you mean in a slightly different manner which doesn't take down the reader's expectation, such as: 'I would really like the meeting to go forward tomorrow. Regrettably, I have an urgent event that needs to be covered. '

How do you use but?

Do you need a comma before but?

Comma Before But

If you are joining two independent clauses, use a comma before the word but. Where the but is not joining two independent clauses, do not use a comma. The comma is a useful and multifunctional part of English grammar, it can help the flow of a piece of text and provide a small break for the reader.

Is but a conjunction?

Coordinating conjunctions allow you to join words, phrases, and clauses of equal grammatical rank in a sentence. The most common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so; you can remember them by using the mnemonic device FANBOYS.

Why is it so hard to write a college essay?

First, writing is inherently difficult. Even for the best writers, putting thoughts down on paper in a cogent, coherent way takes a lot of energy, patience and time. Second, as I mentioned earlier, the college essay requires a completely different sort of writing than most high school students are used to.

Do I put a comma after but?

You should always use a comma before but when joining two independent clauses. A comma after but is only necessary if you're using it as literary device to draw attention to something.

Why do we use but?

We use but as an alternative to except (for), apart from and bar to introduce the only thing or person that the main part of the sentence does not include. It is often used after words such as everyone, nobody, anything, anywhere, all, no, none, any, every.

Is it okay to say but rather?

It is correct to say but rather as combining the conjunction “but” with an adverb such as “rather” is a good way to join the two words to reflect different meanings.

What type of speech is but?

As detailed above, 'but' can be a preposition, an adverb, a noun or a conjunction.

What are the 7 conjunctions?

English has seven coordinating conjunctions—for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so—which you can remember using the mnemonic FANBOYS: For indicates causation: “We left a day early, for the weather was not as clement as we had anticipated.”

What type of grammar is but?

But is a conjunction.

Can you use but after a semicolon?

A semicolon isn't the only thing that can link two independent clauses. Conjunctions (that's your ands, buts, and ors) can do that too. But you shouldn't use a semicolon and a conjunction. That means when you use a semicolon, you use it instead of the ands, buts, and ors; you don't need both.

What are the comma rules?

What is an interrupter in English?

Interrupters are little thoughts in the middle of a thought, added to show emotion, tone or emphasis. When we use an interrupter in the middle of a sentence, it should be emphasized with commas. This is because without the use of commas, the flow of the sentence may be awkward for the reader.

What is an example of a preposition?

A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. Some examples of prepositions are words like "in," "at," "on," "of," and "to." Prepositions in English are highly idiomatic.

What are examples of conjunctions?

A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. e.g., but, and, because, although, yet, since, unless, or, nor, while, where, etc.