Can You Start a Sentence With With? You Need to Know!

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

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Can You Start a Sentence With With: Starting a sentence with “with” may seem unconventional, but it can be done.

The key is to ensure that the structure of the sentence remains clear and grammatically correct.

So, can you start a sentence with “with”?

Yes, you can as long as you do so purposefully and effectively in your writing.

Table of Contents

Can You Start a Sentence with “with”?

Yes, you can absolutely start a sentence with “with.” It is a common and grammatically correct way to initiate a sentence, although it often creates a dependent clause that needs to be followed by an independent clause to complete the thought.

Here are some examples of sentences starting with “with”:

With hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything.
With the sun setting, the sky turned a beautiful orange hue.

With a smile, she greeted her guests.

What Words Should You Not Start a Sentence With?

While technically you can start a sentence with almost any word, some words and phrases are generally discouraged in formal writing due to potential ambiguity, lack of emphasis, or informality.

Here are some common examples:

Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): These are the words “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” and “so.” While they can connect clauses within a sentence, starting a sentence with them can create a choppy rhythm and potentially sound informal or disjointed.

Example: And then, they went to the park.

Subordinating conjunctions: These words introduce dependent clauses and generally need an independent clause to complete the thought. Starting a sentence with them can leave the reader hanging, waiting for the main point.

Example: While it was raining, we stayed inside.
Pronouns: Initiating a sentence with a pronoun like “I,” “you,” “he,” “she,” “it,” “we,” “they,” “this,” “that,” and “these” can be unclear without context and might lack emphasis.
Example: He finally arrived after a long journey.

Can You Start a Sentence with A Preposition?

Yes, you absolutely can start a sentence with a preposition. While there was once a “rule” against it, stemming from Latin grammar, this is no longer considered a valid rule in modern English.

Starting a sentence with a preposition is grammatically correct and can be a powerful tool for adding emphasis, variety, and specific focus to your writing.

Here are some examples of effective sentences that start with prepositions:

With a determined spirit, she embarked on her journey.
Across the vast desert, the nomads searched for water.
Despite facing many challenges, they never gave up.

What Is an Example of A Preposition Using With?

Function	Sentence
Accompaniment	I went to the movies with my friends.
Instrument	She wrote the letter with a pen.
Manner	He treated her with kindness.
Possession	The cat played with a ball of yarn.
Association	He is associated with a famous company.
Comparison	She compared her work with her classmates’.
Time	I will finish this task within an hour. (Note: “within” is related to “with” but considered a separate preposition)

What Is a Good Sentence Starter?

Choosing a good sentence starter depends on several factors, including:

The purpose of your writing: Are you trying to inform, persuade, entertain, or something else?

The tone you want to convey: Do you want your writing to sound formal, informal, serious, playful, etc.?

The specific information you are introducing: What do you want the reader to focus on at the beginning of the sentence?

Here are some general categories of good sentence starters to consider, along with examples:

Setting the scene:

Vivid descriptions: As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape.

Sensory details: The salty air stung my nostrils, and the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore filled my ears.
Time markers: One year ago, everything changed.

Introducing the main point:

Direct statements: The most important factor to consider is.

Questions: Have you ever wondered?
Theses: This essay argues that.

Using ‘With’ at the Beginning of a Sentence

Starting a sentence with “with” is grammatically correct but may make the sentence sound less formal.

It can be used to add variety to your writing style and create emphasis.
When beginning a sentence with “with,” ensure that the following clause is an independent one.

Example:

With great determination, she pursued her dreams.
With each passing day, his confidence grew stronger.

Alternatives to Starting a Sentence with ‘With’

Rephrase the sentence: Instead of beginning with “with,” restructure your sentence to convey the same meaning without using this word.

Use a different introductory phrase: Start your sentences with alternatives like “By means of,” “Through,” or “Using” to avoid repetition and add variety to your writing.
Invert the sentence structure: Consider flipping the order of words in your sentence so that “with” does not appear at the beginning.
Employ subordinating conjunctions: Introduce dependent clauses using subordinating conjunctions such as “Because,” “Although,” or “Since” to create complex sentences without starting directly with ‘with’.

Can You Start a Sentence with Why?

Yes, you can absolutely start a sentence with “why.” It’s a grammatically correct and perfectly acceptable way to begin a sentence in various situations.

Here are some different ways “why” can be used at the beginning of a sentence:

Asking a question: Why did you do that? Why is the sky blue?

Expressing surprise or disbelief: Why, that’s amazing! Why me?
Introducing a reason or explanation: Why he was late remained a mystery. There are many reasons why people choose to travel.

Can You Start a Sentence with You?

In formal writing, it is generally discouraged to start a sentence with “you.” While grammatically correct in most cases, it can sound informal, abrupt, or accusatory depending on the context.

Here’s why starting with “you” is discouraged in formal writing:

Informality: It often creates a more conversational tone, which might not be suitable for formal contexts.
Brevity: Starting with “you” can sound abrupt and lack emphasis compared to other sentence starters.

Accusatory Tone: Depending on the wording, it can come across as accusatory or demanding, especially in second-person singular (“you”).

Conclusion and Final Thoughts!

Starting a sentence with “With” may seem unconventional, but it can be a powerful way to grab your reader’s attention.

By using this technique thoughtfully, you can add variety and emphasis to your writing. Remember that grammar rules should guide rather than limit your expression.

As long as clarity is maintained, don’t hesitate to experiment with different sentence structures.

In conclusion, the decision to begin a sentence with “With” ultimately depends on the context and impact you want to achieve.

Embrace the flexibility of language and don’t shy away from trying new approaches in your writing.