Can You Start A Sentence With A List?

Can you start a sentence with a list? It is possible to start a sentence with a list . However, this should only be done occasionally.

How do you write a list in a sentence?

To list items within a sentence, use lowercase letters in parentheses to identify each item . Use the correct punctuation— either commas or semi-colons— to separate the items in a list.

How do you start a sentence with listing items?

Capitalize the first letter of each list item. Use parallel phrasing for each listed item (note that each item in this list starts with a verb that is bolded only to catch your attention, not as a style you must follow). Never use a heading to introduce a list.

What words can you not start a sentence with?

Do you start a list with a comma?

When making a list, commas are the most common way to separate one list item from the next . The final two items in the list are usually separated by “and” or “or”, which should be preceeded by a comma. Amongst editors this final comma in a list is known as the “Oxford Comma”.

How do you start a list in an essay?

Introduce the list with an independent clause or a sentence with a colon before the list . In punctuation, the colon signals that a long list follows. If the list contains a series of one-word items, separate items with commas.

How do you grammar a list?

If your list is simple, you can also use a colon to introduce the list and commas to separate the items . Example: Last night Regina saw: a mouse, a wizard, and a tomato. If your list is complex, use a colon to introduce the list and semicolons to separate the items.

How do you list more than 3 things in a sentence?

Whenever you have three or more items in a series, each item requires punctuation to separate it from the others . Depending on the complexity of the list, you can use either commas or semicolons.

How do you write a list in a sentence with a colon?

Use a colon before a series or list only if the words that introduce the list make up a complete sentence : To make a cake you need a few basic ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt.

How do you introduce a bulleted list?

1. A colon ( : ) is the most common way to introduce a bulleted list. Examples: ...
2. In informal writing, an introductory sentence can end with a period or question mark if it is a complete sentence. Examples: ...
3. Do not introduce a bulleted list with a semicolon or comma. Incorrect:

What 3 words should you never start a sentence with?

Never begin a sentence—or a clause—with also. Teach the elimination of but, so, and, because, at the beginning of a sentence. A sentence should not commence with the conjunctions and, for, or however ....

What are some good sentence starters?

Some words are indeed notable for being good sentence starters. The list will include the following: although, I would like to, first, meanwhile, therefore, subsequently, while, I would like to, moreover, in general, in addition, furthermore .

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with the word but?

Contrary to what your high school English teacher told you, there’s no reason not to begin a sentence with but or and ; in fact, these words often make a sentence more forceful and graceful. They are almost always better than beginning with however or additionally.

When writing a list is there a comma before and?

There’s no single rule that applies to all situations. You usually put a comma before and when it’s connecting two independent clauses. It’s almost always optional to put a comma before and in a list .

Do lists need full stops?

If a complete sentence introduces the bulleted list, each item in the list should end with a full stop , not a colon, and each point should begin with a capital letter.

What punctuation is used before a list?

The colon is used to introduce a list of items. The bookstore specializes in three subjects: art, architecture, and graphic design.

How do you write a list in a paragraph?

If you are including a simple, relatively short list of three to five items within a paragraph —also known as a series—the proper formatting is to: (a) precede the list with a comma, (b) label each item with a lowercase letter enclosed in parentheses, and (c) separate each item with commas or semicolons .

How do you end a list in a sentence?

If your list items are complete sentences , then you can grammatically end them with a period as a stylistic choice. Never place commas or semicolons on the end of the items in a vertical list, and do not write “and” or “or” before the last list item.

How do you write a list in a research paper?

Listing in APA Format

In APA style, you will generally list items by using bullet points. You should introduce the list with a sentence that is followed by a colon . The first letter of each item is capitalized, and you can use semicolons after each point if it’s appropriate to do so.

Do you need a colon before a list?

Something is clearly missing. This means that no colon is needed and it would be incorrect to use one before the list. So if you have a list, remember you only use a colon before it if the list follows a clause that could be used on its own .

Is or are before a list?

The word list is singular and requires a singular verb, although there may be many items on a list. Thus, we would always say, “ Is the list ,” as in “Is the list on the table?” If we were speaking about more than one list, we would ask, “are the lists on the table?” using the plural verb.

Do lists need periods?

Preferred style is without terminal punctuation, unless the list item is a complete sentence. Numbered lists may appear with or without the period after the number . One has flexibility in choosing styles for punctuating lists, as long as consistency is maintained within a document.

When listing three things do you use a comma?

As mentioned above, when you are listing three or more items, commas should separate each element of the list . However, the final comma—the one that comes before the and—is optional. This comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. Whether or not you use the serial comma is a style choice.

Where does the comma go in a list of 4?

In a list of three or more elements, add a comma after each element except the last . In a list of three or more elements, add a comma after each element except the last.

When listing things do you use a colon or semicolon?

Semicolons separate items within a list, while a colon precedes and introduces a list . He took three things on the hike; his lunch, his binoculars, and his trusty walking stick.

Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list?

Use a colon to introduce an item or list, if the list comes after a complete sentence or independent clause . For example: There are three things every dog needs: food, water and healthcare. You need to grab these three things for the laundry: laundry detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets.

How might you rewrite sentence 1 to introduce a list with a colon?

Rule: Use a colon to introduce a list when no introductory words like namely, for instance, i.e., e.g. precede the list . Example: I need four paint colors: blue, gray, green, and red.

How do you present a list?

1. Write list items to have approximately similar line lengths. ...
2. Use numbered lists only when the sequence or count of items are important. ...
3. Use parallel sentence construction for list items. ...
4. Avoid repeating the same word(s) at the beginning of each list item.

Do you use commas in a bulleted list?

Can I start a sentence with preposition?

It’s always fine to start a sentence with a preposition and also to end a sentence. Both of them are stylistic choices for writers. When you use a prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence, the only decision to make is when to add a comma.

What are the 7 sentence openers?

Used at the beginning of a sentence, these words signal to you that a sentence opener follows: After, Although, As, Because, Before, If, Since, Unless, Until, When, While .

How do you begin a sentence?

What is a simple sentence starter?

Updated on June 2, 2022 · Students. In general, a sentence starter is a quick word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence to help the reader transition , such as the phrase “in general.” Without them, writing can be disorganized, disconnected, and therefore hard to read.

What is it called when you use the wrong word in a sentence?

Definition of malapropism

1 : the usually unintentionally humorous misuse or distortion of a word or phrase especially : the use of a word sounding somewhat like the one intended but ludicrously wrong in the context “Jesus healing those leopards” is an example of malapropism. 2 : malaprop.

Can a sentence start with however?

However may be used to begin a sentence , it can be used in conjunction with but, and you can place it pretty much anywhere you want in a sentence, so long as you do so with care. So pull on your boots of confidence and stop worrying about using however.

Can you replace but with however?

One common replacement for “but” in academic writing is “however.” But we use this adverb to show a sentence contrasts with something previously said. As such, rather than connecting two parts of a sentence, it should only be used after a semicolon or in a new sentence: I like Brian May’s guitar solos.