We got through all of Genesis and part of Exodus before I…
“We got through all of Genesis and part of Exodus before I left. One of the main things I learned from this exercise was not to begin a sentence with "And." When I pointed out that most sentences in the Bible began with "And," I was told that English had changed since the time of King James. In that case, I argued, why make us read the Bible? But it was in vain. Robert Graves at that time was very keen on the symbolism and mysticism in the Bible.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker learned not to start sentences with “And” after studying biblical texts, noting stylistic changes over time.
In simple terms: Avoid starting sentences with “And” for clearer writing.
Key Takeaway
Mind stylistic conventions.
Themes
writing
grammar
style
biblical studies
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
instructional
observational
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- editing
- teaching English
- publishing
- public speaking
Key Concepts
syntax
historical linguistics
literary criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide when to follow or break grammatical conventions?
- When might “And” be effective at a sentence start?
A Different Perspective
Stylistic rules can be flexible in creative contexts.