Kinda like the double space, starting with AND

[carter the artist]

Okay, title was unclear, I know. In another forum we have been discussing the double space after the end point (a.k.a. the period). Now I have another question. You see the whole double space thing was something I was raised on, back in the days of typewriters, and no one told me that the computers compensated and gave the 1.5 space after an end point. Now I am struggling to fix my habit on this. The discussion was well timed because my boss was constantly giving me copy with single spaces and I was getting tired of "fixing" it, which I know now was actually not fixing it.

So, the other thing he does, that gets on my nerves, is start so many sentences with "And". He says it's totally acceptable to start with a conjecture, but I still believe that people look poorly on you if you do. I think it's fine if it's a letter to a friend, but not in printed pieces.

What's your take on this subject? Can you start with a conjecture? Should you? and when is it acceptable? (Okay, I think if it's a list of questions like that it's okay.) :)

[morea]

I don't know the official answer on this one, but I think that in recent years it has become more accepted.

Of course, that doesn't make it right.

I'll do it occasionally in casual conversation, like posting on forums, or writing email, but I try not to do it in "formal" writing, like articles or business letters.

[Jackimalyn]

its not proper english if thats what youre asking

[morea]

Seven Outdated Rules of Grammar (http://www.writing911.com/database/idx/0/027/article/Seven-Outdated-Rules-of-Grammar.html)

No matter what your fifth-grade English teacher says, some grammar "rules" no longer apply. The style mavens of our day all agree that the ability to communicate clearly and concisely takes precedence over archaic grammar rules. Stop chewing your pencils and forget about these rules. Each rule is followed by a grammatically correct sentence.

(skip a bit...)

3. Never start a sentence with a conjunction (and, or, but).

And then he left, never looking back.

Starting a sentence with a conjunction can help transition from one idea to another or add a dramatic tone to a passage. If you start sentences this way too often, your paragraphs will sound like one long run-on sentence. Use conjunctions at the start of sentences judiciously.

[Typically]

i catch myself starting sentences with "and" and wanna punch myself in the face for it. i'm usually good about it but it does slip by sometimes. i would say that it shouldn't be used but i have terrible grammar. that was one thing i do remember from english class though never start a sentence with and.

[LeftBrain Artist]

And is a great word to start out sentences with, especially if its used as a noun. Or will work just as well if used in a similar manner.

And I conjecture "Conjuction Function" is one of the greatest songs of all time.

But of course.

[Drazan]

All I can say is that as a person who helps writers "edit" their stories, there is an atrocious amount of grammar mistakes on most of the marketing materials I read.

Comma usage is at the top of my list, followed by dropped prepositions, dangling prepositions and improper verb tense.

But, that is the editor in me. ;)

[carter the artist]

I'm no copywriter, but I get irked when copy doesn't flow or follow simple rules. I guess it's because it's been hammered into my brain so long that I have hard time seeing people get away with breaking the rules, that I feel if were broken by would see some punishment.

[morea]

it drives me batty sometimes, too. Especially when it's there/their/they're or your/you're. It's one thing to type them wrong in a casual conversation (like a forum post), but when I see them in print it actually hurts.

[Virgo Nightingale]

It always irritates me to see glaring grammatical and spelling errors in a printed piece (at least glaring to me). Like seeing "it's" when it should be "its", using the wrong punctuation (foot/inch marks instead of curly or left/right quotes – someone just posted a thread on that), using quotes around text that's not actually a quote, just a description that would be better off just italicized or something, MISSPELLING THE NAME OF YOUR OWN COMANY ON THE SIDE OF YOUR VAN... :rolleyes:

[morea]

^ lmao, I remember that. :D

[Virgo Nightingale]

I'm seriously considering finding them in the yellow pages and calling them up to ask how much they charge for chess sets, so when they tell me they sell cheese, I can matter-of-factly say, "Really? That's funny, I saw your van when I was stuck in traffic, it said chesses..." They really should be thoroughly embarrassed.

[morea]

If you do that, I want to hear all about it!!!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c343/gdfmorea/silly%20things/rofl.gif

[morea]

Here's a somewhat related joke:

A gentleman wanders around the campus of a college looking for the library. He approaches a student and asked, "Excuse me young man. Would you be good enough and tell me where the library is at?"

The student, in a very arrogant and belittling tone, replied, "I sorry, sir, but at this school, we are taught never to end a sentence with a preposition!"

The gentleman smiled, and in a very apologetic tone replied, "I beg your pardon. Please allow me to rephrase my question. Would you be good enough to tell me where the library is at, a-hole?"

[PrintDriver]

Conjuction Junction what's yer function...

[budafist]

And I certainly would never start a sentence with a conjunction.

[morea]

ooh, the irony! :D

thanks for the chuckle, buda. ;)