“Or” is a word we use to give ourselves different options, but can we start a sentence with or like any other word? There aren’t any specific English rules that tell us when we can or can’t start sentences with particular words, and this article will explore the answer!
Can You Start A Sentence With “Or”?
You can start a sentence with “or” when you link it to a previous argument made. We often place a period before it to stop it from making the sentence too wordy if left as part of the same clause. “Or” will introduce a new argument to the sentence.
We can show you what we mean in the following examples:
- I would like to visit Africa, though I’ve heard that Asia is really nice at this time of year, or maybe even Europe!
There is nothing grammatically wrong with the above example. However, it’s very wordy, and there are only commas available to break up the flow of the sentence. We could easily change it to look as follows:
- I would like to visit Africa, though I’ve heard that Asia is really nice at this time of year. Or maybe even Europe!
Now, we’ve separated the sentence, starting a new one with “or.” It directly links to the previous sentence and introduces a new idea to us. This is how “or” starts a sentence.
What Does “Or” Mean At The Beginning Of A Sentence?
“Or” is mostly a conjunction, which is something we use to connect two clauses with each other. So, what does that mean it becomes when we start a sentence with it?
“Or” is still a conjunction at the beginning of a sentence. We use it to introduce a new clause and argument to the previous sentence, even though they are no longer linked by a comma.
Examples Of How To Use “Or” At The Beginning Of A Sentence
Some extra examples will go a long way in helping you to understand what we’re talking about when starting a sentence with “or.”
- Whatever it takes, I’ll make sure we get the answer out of him. Or maybe you’d like to do it since you know him better.
- We could visit the Thai place or the Indian place. Or I heard there was a great new Mexican up in the town square.
- We shouldn’t be here, and I think it’s time to leave. Or we’ll end up being caught, and I really don’t want to deal with that.
- You must leave at once. Or you might find that someone will come for you.
- I can’t figure this puzzle out, and I don’t think there’s an answer. Or maybe I’m just stupid.
“Or” can start a sentence when it introduces a new argument or idea from the previous sentence.
The length of the previous sentence does not matter. It mostly comes down to the tone of your writing and the form in which you write with.
Sometimes, shorter sentences are much more appropriate to use, so you can get away with placing “or” at the start of a sentence after only one or two clauses.
Where Should I Place The Comma When Using “Or” At The Beginning Of A Sentence?
Punctuation rules can be pretty tricky to figure out. Luckily, learning how to punctuate “or” with commas at the beginning of a sentence isn’t hard at all. In fact, you never have to do it.
There is never a need to place a comma after “or” when it starts the sentence. It introduces a new idea and must remain a part of the phrase for it to make sense.
If a comma was placed after “or,” it would mean that we could remove it. This is not the case when using “or.”
- Correct: What you seek isn’t going to be here. Or maybe it is if you know where you’re looking.
- Incorrect: We could go to Mexico if you’d like to. Or, we could stay at home. I’m fine either way.
Can You Start A Question With “Or”?
It’s not only statements and sentences that can begin with “or.”
You can start a question with “or” in the same way as a sentence. We do this when the question links back to the previous argument but introduces a new idea or expected answer.
To show you what we mean, you can refer to the following:
- Would you like to go and see the new movie with me? Or would you prefer to stay in and watch an old one?
- We could go to Asia whenever you want to. Or would you rather we just stay home this summer?
Is It Informal To Use “Or” At The Beginning Of A Sentence?
It is neither informal nor formal to use “or” at the beginning of a sentence. We can do it in both tones, though it’s much more likely to start a sentence with “or” informally.
That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with starting a sentence with “or” formally. It’s just not something that is common practice for most native speakers.
Alternatives To Starting A Sentence With “Or”
Maybe one of these synonyms will be more suitable to you in place of “or.” If you don’t like using “Or” to start a sentence, or you would prefer to try something different, these are all good choices for you.
- In other words
- As an alternative
- Alternatively
- Rather
- Conversely
- In turn
“Or” introduces a new argument or suggestion. These synonyms do the same thing and work to start a sentence as well.
Can You End A Sentence With “Or”?
There are no rules that tell us when we can start a sentence with “or,” and there are none that tell us when we can end one with it. However, there are certain cases in English where words just don’t belong in certain parts of a sentence.
“Or” cannot be used at the end of a sentence. It is a conjunction that is supposed to link two sentences or clauses together. For that reason, there’s no suitable way to place “or” at the end of a sentence and still have the overall meaning kept in tact.
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
