JavaScript is disabled. 4. Let’s dis­cuss them in more de­tail. We're going to Japan at the beginning of July. When while is the first word of your sentence, you obviously shouldn’t add a comma in front of it. Advertisement. I prefer chocolate cake, while my sister prefers key lime pie. is a perfectly good sentence. Add a comment | 1 Answer Active Oldest Votes. You must log in or register to reply here. Apr 06 2014 09:56:22. shininggirl + 0. Although / Even though. Starting with so. I prefer chocolate cake while my sister prefers key lime pie. Meanwhile follow on. I tried to lift the box. We usually put please in front position, at the beginning of the request, particularly in written requests … She's due to arrive on Thursday. You are using an out of date browser. The standard injunction to avoid using conjunctions (or conjuncts) at the beginning of a sentence was predicated on the assumption that such sentences tended to be fragments. While at the Beginning of a Sentence. 4. Image source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net But / However But is more informal than however.You can use however at the beginning of a sentence, but you can’t use but at the beginning of a sentence (in written English).. Mister Micawber; Comments . It may not display this or other websites correctly. Today, I am here to set you free from one of the shibboleths of grammar. It can be used as a conjunction like this: The puppy was cute, so I picked it up. Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Common Errors 1. Let’s order the curtains, while they’re still on sale. Regrettably, the whole affair was nothing like I expected and yet everything I feared. Thanks but I don't understand this structure too. While it was nowhere stated explicitly that starting a =quote= Part of the folklore of usage is the belief that there is something wrong in beginning a sentence with "but": Many of us were taught that no sentence should begin with "but." I certainly was. Meanwhile definition is - the time before something happens or before a specified period ends : meantime. The comma should go between the things being contrasted or happening at the same time. Study sickness while you are well. As with any sentence, “therefore” should be capitalized if it is at the beginning of a sentence, but it does not need to be capitalized in any other instance. From there, it pretty much boils down to so-and-so begot so-and-so, with certain offspring taking the high road while others took the low. No. While the dog gnaws bone, companions would be none. Be­cause clauses start­ing with “whereas”, “while”, “al­though”, and sim­i­lar con­junc­tions are just spe­cial cases of this rule. Some readers especially dislike seeing the conjunctions or, nor, and yet at the beginning of a sentence. (used at the beginning of a sentence) although; despite the fact that… While I am willing to help, I do not have much time available. Usually, a transition word is used at the start of a sentence. 'Many usages guides have tried to restrict the usage of "however," suggesting it cannot start a sentence, be used with "but," or replace "nevertheless," but none of these guides can agree and there is ample historical evidence of "however" being used at the start of a sentence. The academic year commences at the beginning of October. I faithfully learned the rule. Meanwhile the debate on European political and monetary union continues. 2. Searching the internet, I have found some very nice pages about the whole "while"/"whereas" issue. I would rather move it to right after the comma. 4. Put it at the end of the clause that while introduces. While there's life there's hope. Mother went shopping; meanwhile, I cleaned the house. I decided to take a nap under my desk while everyone else was in the meeting. 3. : At the age of three, they would play tag and hide-and-go-seek, while their mothers sat under the shade of an oak tree and talked. Success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan. How to use meanwhile in a sentence. (I am going to continue to tell what else was happening but please keep your focus remaining on the first subject at the beginning of the sentence.) Here are two examples from the work of writers known for “first-rate writing”: Besides, another purpose of the enlarged army…was to minimize the ever-present possibility of sedition. If that's what you learned, unlearn it — there is no stronger word at … In this sense, it means “whereas” or “although.”. Or we can go to the roller rink. Finding the perfect words can be tricky, but what's more important than 'perfect' words are 'different' words. - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary “Honestly, you should have told me months ago.” Sadly, the hurricane wiped out what was left of the town. 2. The word 'while' creates a subordinating conjunction when it begins a sentence. While my sister prefers key lime pie, I prefer chocolate cake. “Although” sometimes comes at the beginning of a sentence, but other times it may appear in the middle of a sentence. I didn't read the second sentence, but the one in question sounds fine. Consider the examples below: We can go to the drive-in. We often find this in a classroom situation or in polite notices or written requests using the imperative. “ While he had a rough exterior, inside was a heart of gold.”. Don’t use a comma before while when you’re talking about two things happening at the same time. meantime vs. meanwhile When they have learned to control their use of coordinating conjunctions, they can use them at the beginning of a sentence from time to time. For example, you could say "I haven't gone to bed yet." But if you’re using while to mean “whereas,” you still need to put a comma somewhere. If at the beginning of the sentence doesn’t change that. – Robbie Goodwin Sep 21 '17 at 23:59. When not at the beginning it can simply be used as an adverb to create more intensity around an adjective like this: That puppy is so cute. You will be liberated! When the condition (the clause the begins with "if") comes before the result, you must use a comma because it is an introductory clause coming before the main clause. 2. Students: We have free audio pronunciation exercises. I tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy for me. Note the placement of "while at the same time" and the comma placement. use sequential transitions, and conclude your argument in an interesting way! 6. But while the evidence suggests that the demand is there, it is still clearly outmatched by supply. While refers to a longer time span with less emphasis on the first subject giving equal importance if not more importance to the second subject in the sentence. One meaning is related to time. The key is that it instantly makes the clause dependent whether it is independent or dependent, so you will have to follow it with a independent clause. And then, we come to using so at the start of a sentence. You are allowed to start a sentence with 'however. While (or Where) there is life there is hope. To use "yet" in a sentence, put it at the end of a sentence to describe something that hasn't happened. What does "were" in this sentence mean? The same scenario occurs with sentences that begin with 'although,' 'whereas,' and about 30 other words. “The kids were playing video games while I prepared dinner.”. Unless emphasising something to the reader, it’s still a good idea to avoid starting a sentence with or just in case you get those awkward sentence fragments. Most people were told at some point in their lives that starting a sentence with a conjunction is ungrammatical. I prefer chocolate cake, while my sister prefers key lime pie. Me Alternatively, I can imagine to exchange "Whereas" with "While". Were he to win the game = If he were to win the game . The tree must be bent while it is young. And with this purpose once again in mind, [Septimus Severus] took a number of … Meanwhile, what do we do? 208+9 sentence examples: 1. How to Wish Someone Well in 2021. I decided to take a nap under my desk, while everyone else was in the meeting. 1. In fact, as this matter has subsequently been reviewed over the past 60 years or so, the concern has been found to be wholly unwarranted. While or can be used at the start of a sentence — like all conjunctions — it is, admittedly, a little harder to use than most. Use a comma before while in the middle of a sentence when you mean “whereas” or “although.”. Long story short, no such rule exists or has ever existed, and telling an English learner (or a native speaker, for that matter) that they should never start a sentence with a conjunction is a mistake on the part of the teacher. It doesn't work at the beginning of a new sentence. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. The price of eggs is rising, while the price of milk has stayed the same. This is very common in informal writing and should be avoided in more professional pieces. Were he to win the game, I could only kick myself. The other meaning of while indicates a contrast. Playing soccer is a very healthy activity while, at the same time, it is an excellent way to socialise. 3. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. In the temporal sense, while describes something that is happening at the same time as something else. 218+10 sentence examples: 1. “He was thin, while his twin brother was chubby.”. Because not every adverb at the beginning of a sentence is a sentence adverb, not every adverb at the beginning of a sentence requires a comma. “This project, while challenging, has been very rewarding.”. The 8 Parts of Speech: Examples and Rules, Beware of These Common Consistency Issues in Writing, Happy New Year, New Year’s, or New Years? There is no need to avoid the "but", and no credible grammar authority considers it wrong. There is nothing wrong with using 'while' at the beginning of a sentence. Also, try replacing "but" in a sentence with "yet." Don’t use a comma before while when you’re talking about two things... Comma With While Means “Whereas” or “Although”. "But what about cyborgs?" 5. When while is used as a conjunction, it has two meanings. The price of eggs is rising while the price of milk has stayed the same. While I was waiting for the new year and for the improvement of the market. It's perfectly correct, understandable, and idiomatic. At the beginning of June an event occurred. He was once hagged by the enemy at the beginning of being captur As, when or while ? That rules out starting sentences with either \'and\' or \'but\' when writing. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. Since “although” is a conjunction, place a comma before it when it is in the middle of a sentence. While in a sentence 1. 5. At school, we were taught you should never, ever, under any circumstances start a sentence with a conjunction. while. You can also use "yet" to emphasize something, like in the sentence "He ate yet another piece of pizza." The sentence in question pretty much goes like I am not happy about the position of the word "whereas". Comma Before While No Comma With While Means “At the Same Time”. However, it was too heavy for me. What to Know. The so-called "rule" is a shibboleth and can be ignored as being an exemplar of Ted … Let’s order the curtains while they’re still on sale. In all of your examples, the comma IS necessary. A transition word is a word or phrase that shows the relationship between ideas. Apr 06 2014 11:33:03. 3. During the same time that. While the price of milk has stayed the same, the price of eggs is rising. Yes, that was another conjunction starting a sentence. While it may not be an error, starting sentences with these words does sometimes seem melodramatic.