No Al, I did not forget the other “ t ”…
I know, Mr. Penwasser, it sounds the same but it’s not what you think, trust me this is a very clean and appropriate post! Seriously, ask my little pal Al, over Daily Bark, he’ll vouch for me, scouts honour!
But, I digress…
Is it okay to use the big “But” at the start of a sentence?
Well, I decided not to go in search of an answer because I think it’s okay!
And, if I think it’s okay to use the big “But” at the start of a sentence then I also think it’s okay to use his best friend “And” out there in front of the troops also.
Ah... I hear the rumblings of those that are all about writing it correctly and accurately and with all the right punctuation in all the right places.
Yes, indeed there is a place for correctness in the world of the written word.
Particularly if you want readers to think you’re at least as sharp as a regular knife - not as daft as the butter knife, nor as sharp as my new Henckels Twins - but, you know, smart enough to know better.
Particularly if you want readers to think you’re at least as sharp as a regular knife - not as daft as the butter knife, nor as sharp as my new Henckels Twins - but, you know, smart enough to know better.
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| How sharp are you? But nothing...it's a simple question! |
In places like this, the world of random thoughts and impulsive ramblings, (aka our blogs) I do think certain liberties can, and must, be taken. Unless, of course, your blog is about correct word usage and proper punctuation placement then you had best know what you're doing.
With all the “rules” and “wagging fingers” I think we must unite and band together; rising above the din of naysayers to have our voices heard... with the likes of:
"But, it’s just a blog... what’s the issue with my typos, overuse of those three little dots (yes, yes, I know they’re called ellipsis) or where I put my semicolons... really; it’s just a blog!"
“I am sorry you feel that way. But, from now on it’s going to be like this, that’s all there is to it!”
“And that’s that.”
But, before I go... I was wondering... how do you feel about seeing the big “But” at the front of a sentence?
(Seriously, Al...stop laughing and answer the question)
Cheers, Jenny
No buts about it. And I couldn't agree with you more.
ReplyDeleteA man after my own "but" - sorry, I couldn't resist. Al will be so jealous that I used that line here, but, first come, first served! hahaha
DeleteI found this post a real hoot to work on - just came to me this morning, while blowdrying my hair of all things!
you must hate my writings... i am the wurst, though i blame my brain for waiting to think faster than i type. this causes typos.
ReplyDeletei like big buts and i cannot lie... -Sir Mix-A-Lot
Jeremy [Retro]
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host
Oh No, Let's Go... Crazy
Gosh, Jeremy - I think you're writing is some of the best! I hadn't ever noticed any typos and that's mostly because I don't look for them. :P
DeleteI'm thrilled that your a big "but" man too! I'm totally going to have way too much fun with this post!
Nice seeing you here too! :)
please don't look... i am capt typo... from planet nut-nut.
Delete;)
I see you're from my home planet...how did we not know this! :P
Deletethere is a book you and i should write... or at the very least, a kid show...
DeleteHi Jenny!! I am a HUGE fan of the Big But, no pun intended. I tend to use it when I am writing conversationally rather than formally.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post for B and it most definitely brought a smile to my face.
Oh, I want "pun intended" instead. :P
DeleteIn my formal, off blogger, writing I'm with you - there's a time and place for fun, conversational writing and then there's the stuff that needs to be taken serious if we're to appear "sharp".
Gotta love those knifes - I knew they'd come in handy for something!
I'm glad I brought a smile about! :) :)
I for one have no issue with it at all. And as far as the other thing goes...no problem.
ReplyDeleteWriting comes from inside and there are ways that certain things must be said.
Now if you want to talk about controlling our usage of adverbs now that's a different story!
The High Cost of this Low Living
I knew you'd have no issues with my good grammar! And yes..writing, for me, particularly here, is all about "talking" to my peeps! Chatty Cathy...oh...that's a good "C" topic!
DeleteAh...the pesky adverb! :)
I have no prejudice against Big Buts. :-)
ReplyDeleteCharlie @ The Semi-Retired Gamer
Good to hear! Seems like Big Buts are the rage here at Pearson Report! :) :)
DeleteI love big buts! And ands. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Linda - thanks for weighing in on big Buts. And ands!!! :) I'm having such fun with this post!
Delete^_^
ReplyDeleteHi Claudia - too cute is right!!!
DeleteHuge fan of the buts....
ReplyDeleteAND, of course the ellipsis. They might be my fave. :-)
My three favourite things: the big But, And, and ... - how can we ever manage without them!!
DeleteThanks for stopping by. :)
I was expecting something else when I read the title.... I know, I'm naughty.... you can rest your case....
ReplyDeleteMore need not be said... But! - one could! And then, all hell would break out! :P :P
DeleteI always try to avoid beginning my sentences with big butts, I mean, buts. Gosh, I'm confused right now...
ReplyDeleteI'm totally guilty of overusing the ellipsis. ;)
Hahahahah...need I say more! But, what the heck...I'm having way too much fun! And I hope you are too! :):)
DeleteI like big Buts and I cannot lie! Those other bloggers can't deny...Okay, that's as far as I'm going to go with the Sir Mix-A-Lot reference.
ReplyDeleteI use the big But a lot. And and. Yep, I'm a rebel without a grammatical clue.
A fellow rebel is always welcome here! And...I'm sure Sire Mix-A-Lot would agree! :) :)
DeletePointing out the big butts thing is definitely something that Al would be on in a shot haha! Love this post Jenny, I use the big but often too though so I can't be too critical.
ReplyDeleteLike catnip, Matthew. Like catnip.
DeleteHere kitty, kitty, kitty... But, wait...is that Al I see chasing those B's? And who's that behind him in hot pursuit?
DeleteYou boys crack me up! Al, this post was for you!
But, but, but.....Jenny!
ReplyDeleteAnd?
DeleteOne could just milk this comic take on the big But...thanks for joining in, Carole!
I hope dinner with the family was wonderful! :)
I constantly start with buts and ands. Also, I'm a big fan of split infinitives, interjections, and asides. How ever did I manage to pass English Comp?
ReplyDeleteThe complexity of the English language, its use, and abuse, never ceases to amaze me. And...I do my best to give it a run for its money!
DeleteWelcome to Pearson Report - thanks for stopping by. :)
Sometimes I don't put buts at the beginning of sentences just because I think semi-colons deserve love. I asked my husband the other night if I could start a sentence with so!
ReplyDeleteAw...the semicolon is one of my favourite punctuation marks too; those three little dots get good air time here as well.
DeleteAnd, well, let's not forget "and", he works with or without the troops! :)
But you are right in thinking our blogs are the place to take liberties with our writing. I do.
ReplyDeleteHi gma - welcome to Pearson Report!
DeleteI'm glad you agree...our blogs, our rules...with as many if, ands or buts as we please. :) :)
I grew up with a mother who was an English Major and any wrong move we made when it can to proper sentence structure was seriously frowned upon. As an adult I still struggle with the NEW grammar, sentence structure and punctuation that has come with technology and texting. Having said that, I am all for using the big 'BUT' at the beginning of a sentence, however, I think I will always cringe a bit with the thought of using 'AND' .
ReplyDeleteHi pandemommium.com - welcome to Pearson Report!
DeleteThat would be a tough household, for sure! But, as I always say, nothing is carved in stone...other than the Ten Commandments and those are more like guidelines than rules, or so it seems.
Therefore, I will conclude by saying a mere mortal made up these grammar rules therefore me, another mere mortal, (of possibly superior intelligence) is entitled to stretch them at the very least...if not outright break them.
Now...since you are new here...all of this is said tongue in cheek, laced with lots of laughter!
It's all in fun...and here at Pearson Report we like having fun! Ask Al, he'll tell you it's true! :P
I have nothing against "but" or "and" at the beginning of the sentence. I use them occasionally myself; they're handy for expressing certain thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHi GE - How are you? I'm so happy to see you here!
DeleteI'm glad you feel the same about "but" and "and"...it's fun to throw grammar into the wind and see what it blows back. :)
Here on my blog I like to write as if I am having a coffee with a good friend...hence the big"Buts" and "Ands" all over the place.
Thanks for stopping by!
I used to teach English so starting sentences with 'And' or 'But' used to make me twitch. But now I don't care.
ReplyDeleteIf it works, why not? :-)
That's so awesome...the "But now I don't care" bit got a hearty laugh! Another rebel joins the force! Yay!
DeleteI like Big Buts and I cannot lie
ReplyDeletethose other punctuations can't deny.
Well, the semicolon can.
Because he's had a medical procedure.
(Al's Joke Explanation Corner: It was a semi-colonoscopy. You're welcome)
Yes, Al...I gather you're a fan of Big Buts...and maybe a few with the added "t" too, eh! You cannot lie...so don't deny!
DeleteOh my...we are sick puppies! But...fun puppies nonetheless, right! And, if we can't have fun out here, where than I ask, hmm? :P
Seriously (no really), how you choose to start a sentence is completely up to you. Oh sure, the Grammar Police are out there and the good sisters from Saint Stanislaus would tack on another 500 years in Purgatory if I started a sentence with a 'But' (or-good Lord!-ended a sentence with a preposition), but don't sweat it. Stephen King has horrible grammar. And look how entertaining and frikkin' rich he is. I've also heard he was a colossal nerd in high school (I knew someone who went to school with him in Maine), but that's beside the point.
ReplyDeleteYou make a point there with SK - really, how some people get published is beyond me! Well, almost everything is beyond me, but...you get it, right!
DeleteI'm half-and-half when it comes to grammar. I'm a stickler for some things, and relaxed about others. I'm always starting sentences with "But" or "And", and in my writing, not just on blogs. It's like I think prepositions are OK to end a sentence with. It's all a matter of making the sentence sound right and read cleanly.
ReplyDeleteLet's face it, Botanist, you're a born rebel like the rest of us that dangle the big But out in front of a sting of words, or toss a lone And out there for effect or just for the fun of it. (the sign of a rebel leader no less) :P
DeleteAh...grammar; mine to build upon or destroy - like lego in the olden days when there were no pre-packs and you just went with your imagination. Same thing...I wing it and hope for the best!
Like my submissions for this years A-Z! :)
Thanks for stopping by.
I so knew you'd be on the big But band wagon...rules are meant to be broken, right!!
ReplyDeleteAnd...furthermore...big Buts just sounds like so much fun we can't help but use them everywhere!
Good to see you here, Karen. :)
I am a fan of the big But. I also use So and And. I tend to write partial sentences like they are whole sentences because, hello, that's they way I talk.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to get past my typo issues. For some reason, I always notice incorrect spelling and if I do miss it in my post, I tend to go back and fix it. I am trying hard to just let it go. Sometimes I can fight the urge. Sometimes I lose.
So, how are you? And those double seaters? Are they ready for use, yet? hehehehe
DeleteI write like I talk too...too much and not enough periods!
And...dear Ruth, we're long lost sisters because I proof till the cows come home...and so far the cows ain't a comin' - makes me f-n crazy - arrggghhhh! See...that's how crazy it makes me!
But, like you, I am trying hard to mend my ways. Maybe we should start a support group called Proofers Anonymous; we'll be its founding members (or only members). *grin*
I generally try not to start with the big "but", but I will use it as a conjunction.
ReplyDeleteRhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com
AtoZ #42
I try, but I fail miserably, so I don't fight it! :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Rhonda - great seeing you here!
So I also like big buts, and ample ands. Don't get me started on other off-putting punctuation including the ellipsis period.
ReplyDeleteJulie