CHAPTER VIII
Conjunctions
As a general rule, sentences should not begin with conjunctions. And, or, and nor are often needlessly employed to introduce a sentence. The disjunctive but may sometimes be used to advantage in this position, and in animated and easy speech or writing the coordinate conjunction and may be serviceable, but these and all other conjunctions, when made to introduce sentences, should be used sparingly.
Reason, Because
“The reason I ask you to tell the story is because you can do it better than I.” Because means “for the reason.” This makes the sentence equivalent to “The reason I ask you to tell the story is for the reason that you can do it better than I.” Use that instead of because.
“Because William studied law is no reason why his brother should not do so.” The following is better: “That William studied law is no reason why his brother should not do so.”
“The house was as convenient as his, only that it was a trifle smaller.” Use except for only.
“The field was as large as his, only the soil was less fertile.” Use but for only.
But, Except
“Being the eldest of the brothers but Philip, who was an invalid, he assumed charge of his father’s estate.” Except is better than but.