Can I start a sentence with whereas?

Answered by Robert Dupre

Starting a sentence with the word ‘whereas’ is grammatically correct and commonly used. ‘Whereas’ is a conjunction that is often used to introduce a contrast or comparison between two ideas or clauses. It helps to establish a relationship between the information presented before and after it.

For example, consider the sentence: “I enjoy swimming, whereas my sister prefers hiking.” Here, ‘whereas’ is used to contrast the speaker’s preference for swimming with their sister’s preference for hiking.

Another example could be: “The weather was sunny yesterday, whereas today it is raining.” In this case, ‘whereas’ is used to compare the weather conditions of two different days, highlighting the contrast between sunny and rainy weather.

Using ‘whereas’ at the beginning of a sentence can add variety and clarity to your writing. It allows you to highlight differences or present contrasting information in a clear and concise manner.

However, it is important to note that ‘whereas’ should be used appropriately and in the correct context. It is typically used in formal writing, such as academic essays, legal documents, or official statements. In more casual or conversational writing, other conjunctions like ‘while’ or ‘but’ may be more commonly used.

Starting a sentence with ‘whereas’ is grammatically correct and can be an effective way to introduce a contrast or comparison between ideas. It adds variety to your writing and helps to convey information clearly.