Re: The totally off-topic thread
I remember when I was a kid being told off by a teacher for starting a sentence with "And". Apparently it's acceptable now.
In formal writing, it still really isn't acceptable. Even starting sentences with "Also" should be avoided (although not necessarily as bad as starting with "And").
Starting a sentence with "And" is likely more common in speech or in a passage which is intended to imitate speech (or written in first or second person); the result of essentially substituting a comma (or semi-colon) for a period is then what results in the unwitting error, which in speech results in a firmer emphasis of the second statement / clause. For example:
"These documents must be at the client's office tomorrow by 8 am, sharp. And I really mean it this time!"
Of course, in the example, one could probably drop the 'And' and it will still makes sense, although there is a small sacrifice in carried meaning.
Also when you first send a letter to someone, you should end it "yours faithfully" and not "yours sincerely". Something about formalities.
I was taught - "yours sincerely" when you have addressed your salutation by name; ie. "Dear John" and "yours faithfully" when addressed "Dear Sir/Madam".
I use "Yours sincerely" sometimes but have avoided "Yours faithfully" for quite some time as it seems to (whether incorrectly or not) carry a somewhat religious connotation, or doesn't seem to convey a correct emotion for the letter which was written. More common usage is now "Best Regards" or "Kind Regards", but I tend to use "Yours sincerely" for those times when a written / signed letter is required.
