Starting sentences

[Kieken]

Is it allowed to begin a sentence with words like beside(s), however and stuff like that? I'm remaking a text that I wrote for school and I started a sentence with Besides and this wrong. Why? Or What should I use to make it correct?

[rumples riot]

Yes you can start sentences with however and besides. You will need to place a coma or semi colon directly after it though. You can for emphasis even start a sentence with "And" but, only when it is used as a conjunctive to the previous sentence. Again a semi colon is necessary to ensure that the emphasis is understood by the reader.

Paul

[Kieken]

Joy, I forgot the coma. Funny though, you say that a sentence can start with "And" but under certain circumstances. Our teacher says that it is wrong and if we do so we will die (or get lower points, can't really remember what he said).

EDIT: even "but" is not allowed (according to him) at the beginning of a sentence.

[kruscica]

Yeah, it's true. I remember being taught that at school in English myself. I always thought it was funny considering that common usage, and literature, present it in everyday life. I guess it's just because it isn't all that easy to use it properly when you are just learning it, especially as a second language. It is easier to just say no, you can't use it at all, than to teach it properly, and less confusing.

[OneOfOne]

I think it is just another Americanisation of the English language...I guess it all started when they spelt Aluminium wrong and has gone downhill since then. Funny how they fought the war of independence to get away from England and now they are one of the few countries to still use the British measurement system!


However, they do make nice telescopes.

[rumples riot]

Actually, the use of And as the starting word in a sentence was quite wide spread up until three centuries ago in the UK. Like I said it is a conjunctive when used in this fashion. It is only used to provide extra emphasis to your previous sentence. It should not be used to provide another point of interest. It was widely frowned upon when I was at school, however after reading numerous law texts at Uni and having a brush up on gramma I discovered that many of the hard and fast rules at school were in fact incorrectly applied. They are only guide lines. Furthermore the use of But is strongly discouraged and I have to say that it should never be used to start a sentence. There are other better words to use; such as however or conversely.

If you are interested, keep an ear open during nightly news broadcasts for the incorrect use of the word "was". It should only be used as It was or there was. It should not be used in places where the word "where" should be used. This frequently happens. Most irritating.

Anyway, there you go.