Is it legitimate to begin a sentence with the word, "And?"

[Excalibre]

@barbitu8

Some of those “rules” are not really rules. For example:

Many words that one would think are prepositions are really used as adverbs, especially when they end a sentence. Not that there is anything wrong with ending a sentence with a preposition. One example is: “Take your cap off!” Off is used as an adverb in that sentence, modifying the verb take.

I suppose you can call it an adverb. It’s part of a phrasal verb, which to my knowledge is generally treated as a single unit, even if it takes the form of two words. That’s the problem with such rules, though - they result from only the shallowest sort of acquaintance with grammar - since we’re taught that “to” is a preposition, and we’re taught never to strand a preposition, people develop the notion that “take your hat off” is somehow improper, even though that notion is wrong on both counts: grammatical English has always stranded prepositions, and “off” isn’t a preposition here anyway.

Thus is the sorry state of knowledge regarding linguistics in this country.

[Gary_Robson]

@Polycarp

Our object regarding English style is to see people writing clear, coherent essays and paragraphs that express their thought accurately and clearly.

I wish this is what the business schools taught. Unfortunately, they seem to be pushing students to write illegible jargon-filled drivel.

@Polycarp

Good writing is done by those who know the principles of expressive prose – and when it’s appropriate to break them.

Hear, hear! I agree completely.

[moriah]

@Polycarp

Moriah is the Master of the Tempered Snark in presenting counterpoints that zing without going over the edge.

I’m a Master Snark! I’m honored!

<how many stripes does a master snark wear?>

Since I’ve been in a West Side Story mood all this week… (oops, starting a sentence with a conjunction)
SNARK! <DAH dah. dah DAH>

Once you’re a snark, you’re a snark all the way,
from your first pithy quote
to your last Pitting fray…

Peace.

Not being snarky, jus’ havin’ fun.

[panache45]

“Is it legitimate to begin a sentence with the word And?”

“And how!”

[Giles]

@panache45

“Is it legitimate to begin a sentence with the word And?”

“And how!”

There probably is also a rule about not ending a sentence with the word And.

I could go on, but …

[Polycarp]

@moriah

I’m a Master Snark! I’m honored!

how many stripes does a master snark wear?

I dunno – probably one more than a Chief Petty Snark!