Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "But"?

Question

The context that I'm trying to use it is, "But is this really as good of an idea as she claims it to be?"

Answer 1

There is a zombie rule that you should never start a sentence with a conjunction, sentences such as:

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground.

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

But do thy worst to steal thyself away.

Well, if you believe the zombie rule is correct, you can tell Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, the translators of the KJV Bible, and William Shakespeare that they used poor grammar.

You do it - I certainly won't.

Answer 2

We all do it, but according to American English -I'm not sure about other countries- it's not grammatically correct to begin a sentence with a conjunction. Conjunctions are used to join two sentences.

You can remember conjunctions by the curious acronym FANBOYS:

For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So

If you get rid of "but" in that sentence, it'll be good to go.

Answer 3

Even though I do it sometimes, it is not grammatically correct.

Answer 4

http://www.getitwriteonline.com/archive/...

Answer 5

"However/ yet / nevertheless, is this really as good AN idea as she claims it to be?"
Why do you Americans stick in 'of' were it shouldn't be.
Another instance.
THE inside (noun) OF the box is lined with velvet. YES.
Put the necklace inside(preposition) OF(preposition) the box. NO!!!!!!!!!!
Put the necklace inside (preposition) the box. YES.

Answer 6

Yes.

Answer 7

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but considered too informal for academic work. That is, "but" is a coordinate conjunction and joins two independent clauses. It is considered better style to use longer conjunctions, like "however"

It is also correct, btw, to start a sentence with "because" if there's another clause: Because it looked like rain, he took his umbrella. The problem is that students write just "because it looked like rain." So teachers tell them not to start sentences with "Because". But it's not grammatically wrong.

Answer 8

No that'd be wrong. Just leave the sentence as you wrote it but take out the "but." Even better, don't write the sentence in question form and turn it into a statement of some sorts. "Although she believed this was a good idea, her claim is incorrect because..."

Answer 9

As long as the "But" has a comma before it and usually that is done when the previous single sentence cannot be appended to create a conjunction sentence, such as when the previous sentence is already a conjunction sentence.

Answer 10

No, same as because.