whereas

[polokoza]

Is it possible to put WHEREAS at the beginning of a sentence?

Example: Whereas A is good, B is bad.

Or, does it have to be only between the two compared things?

Thanks!

[iKitty]

NOT A TEACHER

No, that sentence doesn't make sense. Use it to contrast or compare things, as you say – e.g.

I like tea, whereas my husband prefers coffee.

[TheParser]

[QUOTE=polokoza;826875]Is it possible to put WHEREAS at the beginning of a sentence?

NOT A TEACHER


(1) According to Mr. Michael Swan in his very popular Practical English Usage, the

answer is YES.

(a) His example: While/Whereas some languages have 30 or more different vowel

sounds, others have five or less.

(i) You notice that Mr. Swan says that "while" is another word that we can use.

(2) I most respectfully suggest that learners such as you and I (are) NOT use

"whereas." Its appropriate use is in official documents. Do you know of the famous

motion picture director Alfred Hitchcock? Well, Her Majesty Elizabeth II made him a

knight. Here are some words from the official document:

Whereas We have thought fit to nominate and appoint you [Alfred Joseph Hitchcock Esquire] to be an Ordinary Knight Commander of the Civil Division of Our Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

[Gillnetter]

Is it possible to put WHEREAS at the beginning of a sentence?

Example: Whereas A is good, B is bad.

Or, does it have to be only between the two compared things?

Thanks!

Sure you can.

Whereas the treaty was acceptable to the majority, the various clauses in Section B were not acceptable to the minority party.

Whereas I liked the soup, the customers felt it was too hot.

[Rover_KE]

You can start a sentence with anything - even and or but.

Rover

[BobK]

And 'Whereas' can be used here both in its usual (contrastive) sense, and - archaically, but still frequently in church services and legal documents, to mean 'Since' or 'Given that': 'Whereas the said N and M have exchanged these vows...' (or whatever, I don't know The Book of Common Prayer that well... )

b

[5jj]

And 'Whereas' can be used here both in its usual (contrastive) sense, and - archaically, but still frequently in church services and legal documents, to mean 'Since' or 'Given that': 'Whereas the said N and M have exchanged these vows...' (or whatever, I don't know The Book of Common Prayer that well... )

b

My version has 'forasmuch', but 'whereas', in your archaic sense would be fine.