Starting sentences with conjunctions
Conjunctions join clauses. A clause is a part of a sentence and has a subject and a verb.
A mistake language learners often make is to separate the two clauses with a full stop.
Common conjunctions are:
and
but
because
so
or
Example 1
This is an example from a learner.
My kids take swimming lessons every Tuesday. I have to wait for them for 1 hour. But I can study English.
The two clauses of note are:
I have to wait for them for 1 hour.
I can study English during it.
These can be joined into one sentence:
I have to wait for them for 1 hour but I can study English.
Why is it wrong?
Sentences can start with 'but' (or any other conjunction) but must reflect how you would say it. Starting a sentence with a conjunction can only happen when the sentence is:
related to the previous sentence(s)
something you forgot to say; or
something surprising / dramatic / powerful
In our example, studying English while you wait for your kids, is neither of these.
Example 2
I like to cook miso soup. Because it tastes nostalgic.
We have two clauses here:
I like to cook miso soup.
It tastes nostalgic.
There is no reason to separate these clauses with a full stop. It should be:
I like to cook miso soup because it tastes nostalgic.
Example 3
My daughter went camping with her friend for the first time. And she sent me some photos.
We have two clauses here:
My daughter went camping with her friend for the first time.
She sent me some photos.
The second clause is not:
something you forgot to say
something surprising / dramatic / powerful
Therefore, you can easily join the two sentences using the conjunction 'and'.
My daughter went camping with her friend for the first time and she sent me some photos.