Starting sentence with and, but etc.

Question

I thought a comma would be better while starting a sentence with a conjunction. For example: And, when they came, he opened the door. (or) But, since she was willing, he approached her.

I thought a comma after and, but and other conjunctions would be better if we're starting a sentence with them. But my friend told me the exact opposite -- that comma must be avoided at all costs when starting with and, but etc.

Can someone clarify this?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I thought a comma would be better while starting a sentence with a conjunction. For example: And, when they came, he opened the door. (or) But, since she was willing, he approached her.

I thought a comma after and, but and other conjunctions would be better if we're starting a sentence with them. But my friend told me the exact opposite -- that comma must be avoided at all costs when starting with and, but etc.

Of course, some people would argue that you should never start a sentence with a conjunction. Personally, I think it's OK occasionally for effect, but it shouldn't become a habit.

Consider that a comma is basically a way of representing in writing a place where you would pause while speaking. Let's consider a few examples.

And, very cautiously, he opened the door. 'Very cautiously' seems parenthetical, just some extra information that is not absolutely necessary. I'd indicate that to the listener by pausing before and after saying it. The commas show the pauses.

And, when they came, he opened the door. Same as above.

And he opened the door. I don't think I'd pause here, as it all seems a continuous thought.

And, he opened the door. But I might pause if I really, really wanted to add dramatic effect, ie to make sure that the listener is really listening before I finish my sentence.

Best wishes, Clive

James do · Answer

I think you were wrong.

And, when they came, he opened the door.

This sentence doesn't make any sense. "they came" and "he opened the door" is two clause joined by "when". The conjunction "and" used to combine two independent clause. In your sentence, "and" can't be a conjunction that combine that two clauses.

"and" in your sentence can be a conjunctive in this situation:

He stayed at home all day and when they came, he opened the door.

In informal writing, a conjuncition can begin a sentence.

He stayed at home all day. And when they came, he opened the door.

Futurist · Answer

Most style guides would recommend you omit the commas you've used after 'And' and 'But':

And when they came, he opened the door.
But since she was willing, he approached.

A comma normally goes before a conjunction, e.g.:

Tom spent the morning eagerly waiting for the mormons, and when they came, he open the door.

Since in each of your sentences the conjunction has a full-stop before it, you certainly don't need to put a comma afterward as well.

There might be some circumstance in which a comma makes your meaning clearer, or in which you really want your reader to pause after the conjunction. But as a general rule, no comma is needed.

Futurist · Answer

james doAnd, when they came, he opened the door.

This sentence doesn't make any sense.

It makes perfect sense if you consider 'when they came' to be a parenthetical remark. I'd leave the comma out, but doing so is a purely stylistic choice.

james doHe stayed at home all day and when they came, he opened the door.

The above sentence, on the other hand, is badly punctuated. It reads like he stayed at home all day and then stayed at home when they came as well. Perhaps they came that night, or the next day. 'He opened the door' is spliced onto the end.

james doIn informal writing, a conjuncition can begin a sentence.

A conjunction is acceptable at the start of a sentence even in the most formal of writing.

I quote Bryan Garner, an authority on questions of English grammar, usage, and style:

'It is a rank superstition that this coordinating conjunction cannot begin a sentence. ... The very best writers find occasion to begin sentences with and...'

James do · Answer

Futurist
And, when they came, he opened the door.

This sentence doesn't make any sense.

He stayed at home all day and when they came, he opened the door

The above sentence, on the other hand, is badly punctuated. It reads like he stayed at home all day and then stayed at home when they came as well. 'He opened the door' is spliced on the end.

Hi Futurist,

I say it doesn't make sense because we use "and" to combine two independent clauses.

It is raining. I stay at home.

we can write

It is raning and I stay at home.

or

It is raining. And I stay at home.

But

And I stay at home.

"And" cobine nothing in this case. It doesn't make any sense by itself, so does "And, when they came, he opened the door.".

In my sentence

"He stayed at home all day and when they came, he opened the door".

I mean he waited for them all day. He stayed at home wating for them. Hence, when they came, he opened the door immediately.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Yes. If you start with 'and', it normally requres a previous sentence.

I didn't specifically say that. I just assumed that the sentence in the original post was part of such a larger context.

It clearly makes no sense to simply walk into a room and say And, when they came, he opened the door.

Clive

James do · Answer

Thanks.

Starting sentence with and, but etc.

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