🦉 IELTS writing: Is it ok to start a sentence with "and" or "but"? 🦉

You might have heard that you mustn't start your sentences with "and" or "but."

And for good reason.

But it's not that simple.

The good reason is that starting your sentences with these conjunctions gives your writing an informal and emphatic feel. And it's not the feel you want your IELTS writing to give off, right? So, ideally, do follow this advice when you can. But, at the same time, don't become too obsessed. IELTS is not about strict, rigid, prescriptive rules. IELTS is about the big picture. If everything else is absolutely impeccable, one sentence starting with one of these conjunctions shouldn't be a problem.

And did you know that minor errors and lapses are OK even at band 9?

So, my advice would be: Rather than chasing one-size-fits-all answers to questions like this, focus on the big picture.

But if you respectfully disagree, do share in the comments.