Beginning a sentence with but/however

[Abstract Idea]

I had already heard some grammarians state in formal English sentences should never begin with "but" or "and".

Then I tried to police myself on that. Regarding "and" everything went fine; I was able to do the job easily.
However, regarding "but" things were not that easy until I realized that whenever I wanted to start a sentence with "but" I could use "however" (just like in the beginning of very sentence you are reading now).

Now I have just read it is not good to start a sentence with "however" because it is a conjunction and conjunctions do not start sentences.

What shall I do now ???
I think I'll get crazy.

By the way, I think that "then" used in the third line above used to begin the sentence "Then I tried ... " is also prohibited!

[2006]

I heard some grammarians state that in formal English, sentences should never begin with "but" or "and".
That used to be a rule years ago, but now that rule has been widely discarded. However, it may still be followed in very formal English; I am not sure.


What shall I do now ??? Use conjunctions to start a sentence when you think it appropriate.
I think I'll get crazy. You shouldn't!

2006

[Abstract Idea]

I heard some grammarians state that in formal English, sentences should never begin with "but" or "and".
That used to be a rule years ago, but now that rule has been widely discarded. However, it may still be followed in very formal English; I am not sure.

What shall I do now ??? Use conjunctions to start a sentence when you think it appropriate.
I think I'll get crazy. You shouldn't!

2006

Thanks for your reply and your kindly corrections, 2006.
I would like to learn how to write in English in many different ways, including the one you call "very formal English" (OK, I know it will take me a long time to achieve that, but I will try). So I need to practise those old formal rules, but it is really hard. Please forgive my complaing; this is just a kind of an "outburst" (if that word goes well).

[2006]

Thanks for your reply and your kind corrections, 2006.
I would like to learn how to write in English in many different ways, including the one you call "very formal English" (OK, I know it will take me a long time to achieve that, but I will try). So I need to practise those old formal rules, but it is really hard. Please forgive my complaing; this is just a kind of an "outburst" (if that word goes well).

When I said "very formal English" I was thinking about the law and statutes. I don't think you should worry about that very much at all.
"Very formal English" is a very very small part of English.

[Abstract Idea]

When I said "very formal English" I was thinking about the law and statutes. I don't think you should worry about that very much at all.
"Very formal English" is a very very small part of English.

I think there's no need to concern ourselves with very formal English because I don't think we'd find use for that. Formal English is good enough. The most important non-native English speakers should do is master conversational English as it's the one with useful, daily application.

Thanks for your kind advices. I do appreciate your opinions.
However, I think it is important to say that, although I understand your point, I particularly maintain my initial interest. One of the mottos I have adopted for my life is:

"Learn everything, you will find nothing superfluous." (St. Victor)

[philo2009]

I had already heard some grammarians state in formal English sentences should never begin with "but" or "and".

Then I tried to police myself on that. Regarding "and" everything went fine; I was able to do the job easily.
However, regarding "but" things were not that easy until I realized that whenever I wanted to start a sentence with "but" I could use "however" (just like in the beginning of very sentence you are reading now).

Now I have just read it is not good to start a sentence with "however" because it is a conjunction and conjunctions do not start sentences.

What shall I do now ???
I think I'll get crazy.

By the way, I think that "then" used in the third line above used to begin the sentence "Then I tried ... " is also prohibited!

'However' is actually not a conjunction at all but an adverb and is thus perfectly able to stand at the head of a sentence, although in more elegant style, it will tend to occupy post-subject position (e.g. He, however, was unwilling to help them rather than However, he was unwilling...).

As for the use of true coordinating conjunctions (and, but, etc.) to begin sentences, it has a lineage dating back to the King James Bible (e.g. And God saw that the light was good, Genesis 1:4), making it rather hard to fault it as some kind of lazy modern trend!

Simply avoid overuse, and you'll be fine.