Using "And" at the beginning of a sentence?

Question

Since I first learned English, I have been holding this understanding that "and", as a conj. but unlike "but", can only connect two clauses, not two sentences ended with periods.But recently, I have seen so many prints, either in entertainment or in academia, where "And" is popularly used in the beginning of a sentence. It seems like the author is trying to connect the sentence just right before and the sentence following "And" in some intended meaning which I don't quite get.I was wondering if I have been wrong all the time, or if there is a new trend that I fail to understand and accept? How to understand such usage of "and" in rigorous English grammar? If I am right, why it is used differently from "but" in terms of what I mentioned at the beginning of this post?

Answer 1

I don't believe there is an iron-clad answer to this question. In my opinion, it's a classic case of "once you know what the rules are, then you can break them."

I was also taught not to begin sentences with conjunctions (or more specifically coordinating conjunctions), including "but." Over time, as I kept writing and got to internalize grammar rules, I started noticing that the effect I wanted to create would be aided by beginning a sentence with "and" or "but," usually to create a dramatic pause for the reader, so I started doing it occasionally, but always knowing that I was "breaking the rule." (There was a great actor who gestured too much onstage, so he started rehearsing with his arms lightly tied at his sides; when he broke the bonds, he knew that was a gesture he really needed.)

All of this is to say yes, I've been seeing it a lot more too, and within a generation, there may be no rule at all about beginning sentences with coordinating conjunctions. For now, though, depending on where you are as an English writer, I would recommend following the rule and not beginning sentences with "and," "but," or "or." Force yourself to either either connect the ideas in one sentence or find a more elegant way to rewrite the second one to indicate its relationship to the first.

And only when that becomes a habit, consider breaking the rule for effect.

Answer 2

Here's some reading material on the subject:

https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/can-i-start-a-sentence-with-a-conjunction

As a freelance writer, from time to time I begin a sentence with a conjunction so I can get a variety of sentence cadence.

And it keeps the reader from having to wade through long sentences. :-)