As a language expert with a deep understanding of the intricacies of English grammar, I'd like to begin by explaining the roles of conjunctions and conjuncts in sentence construction. Conjunctions are words that connect clauses or sentences, such as "and," "but," and "or." They are essential for creating complex sentences that convey more nuanced ideas. On the other hand, conjuncts are words or phrases that add information to a sentence, often providing a transition or contrast, and they can be used in various positions within a sentence.

Now, addressing the specific question about the use of "both" at the beginning of a sentence, it's important to clarify what "both" refers to in this context. If "both" is intended to mean the conjunctions "and" and "but," then the answer is more nuanced. While it is technically possible to start a sentence with these words, doing so can have implications for the formality and style of the writing.

Starting a sentence with "and" is quite common and generally acceptable in both informal and formal writing. It can be used to add information or to create a list. For example, "And finally, the long-awaited announcement was made." This use of "and" at the beginning of a sentence is often referred to as an 'accumulative' or 'anaphoric' use, where it accumulates or adds to what has been previously stated.

Conversely, starting a sentence with "but" is less common and can be seen as more informal. It is typically used to introduce a contrast or an opposing idea to what has been previously mentioned. In formal writing, it's often recommended to avoid beginning sentences with "but" because it can disrupt the flow of the text. Instead, writers might opt for a more subtle introduction of contrast, such as "However" or "Nevertheless."

The provided reference material suggests that conjuncts, unlike conjunctions, can be moved to different parts of a sentence because they are not connecting grammatical parts. This is partially correct. Conjuncts do provide transitions and can be flexible in their placement, but they still play a role in connecting ideas, even if not grammatically. The flexibility of conjuncts allows for a variety of sentence structures and can contribute to the rhythm and flow of writing.

In conclusion, while both "and" and "but" can technically be used at the beginning of a sentence, the choice to do so should be made with consideration for the style and tone of the writing. "And" is generally more acceptable, while "but" might be best introduced in a more subtle manner in formal contexts.

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Both are joining words that relate ideas to each other, but conjuncts, unlike conjunctions, can be moved to different parts of a sentence because they are not connecting grammatical parts. Having stated the case for And or But, I probably wouldn't start sentences with these words in formal writing.read more >>