![]() So, are we going to debunk this pesky rule (that isn’t really a rule) stating that conjunctions can’t be sentence leaders? Yes, we are. This supposed “rule” has no basis in actual writing, and even formal writing features plenty of sentences that start with and and other conjunctions. Usually the object of the preposition (often a gerund, as in the last two examples) is intended as the subject of the sentence, so removing the preposition at the beginning is usually the easiest way to edit such errors.There is a commonly stated “rule” of grammar that beginning a sentence with and, or any other conjunction, is a mistake. They start one way (often with a long prepositional phrase) but end with a regular predicate. These last three examples of fragments with no subjects are also known as mixed constructions, that is, sentences constructed out of mixed parts. Rearrange: Phil got fired for doing freelance work for a competitor.Remove preposition: Doing freelance work for a competitor got Phil fired.Fragment: For doing freelance work for a competitor got Phil fired.Remove preposition: Paying too much attention to polls can make a political leader unwilling to propose innovative policies.Fragment: By paying too much attention to polls can make a political leader unwilling to propose innovative policies.Remove preposition: The ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the product. ![]()
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