So, But, Then, And

Can I begin sentences with so, but, then & and? I think I'm not (suppose?/supposed?) to.

So I decided to swim.

But he was late.

Then she came.

And they finally left.


Thanks.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by davidw55555

Can I begin sentences with so, but, then & and? I think I'm not (suppose?/supposed?) to.

So I decided to swim.

But he was late.

Then she came.

And they finally left.


Thanks.

First, the verb to suppose means to assume, whereas the verb supposed to means expected to.

Second, rules are meant to be broken. As a means of style, present day writers and authors do in fact begin sentences with so, and, but, then. But, whether or not that convention is considered (un)acceptable depends on your audience. What does your audience (i.e, teachers, students, boss, etc.) expect of you?

All the best,

[Tdol]

People do begin sentences with them, but there are those who still say it's wrong. I'd avoid doing it in formal writing.

THANKS, CASIOPEA & TDOL. :)

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by davidw55555

Can I begin sentences with so, but, then & and? I think I'm not (suppose?/supposed?) to.

So I decided to swim.

But he was late.

Then she came.

And they finally left.


Thanks.

I agree with Cas and TDOl, although the rules against starting sentences with coordinating conjunctions have been relaxed considerably. I would only do it to create emphasis and do so sparingly. That only applies to "and" and "but", however.

The use of "so" as a conjunction has its share of detractors no matter where it appears in a sentence. I would avoid starting sentences with it.

"Then" is an adverb. I know of no reason to avoid sentences beginning with "then".

I entered the room and heard a noise. Then a light came on.

[RonBee]

Ron came into the room. Then he realized he had forgotten something. So he left the room. And then he came back. But having realized he had forgotten something else, he left the room again. "So what is Ron doing?" somebody said.

:D

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by RonBee

Ron came into the room. Then he realized he had forgotten something. So he left the room. And then he came back. But having realized he had forgotten something else, he left the room again. "So what is Ron doing?" somebody said.

:D

THANKS, MIKE & RON BEE.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by davidw55555

THANKS, MIKE & RON BEE.

You're welcome. 8)