Here's why:
* Ellipsis indicates omitted words: Ellipses are used to show that something has been left out of a quote or sentence. At the beginning of a sentence, there's usually no prior text to omit.
* Confusing the reader: Starting a sentence with an ellipsis can make the reader wonder what text has been omitted, creating unnecessary confusion.
Example:
* Incorrect: ... The cat sat on the mat.
* Correct: The cat sat on the mat.
Exceptions:
While generally avoided, there are a few exceptions:
* Dialogue: An ellipsis at the beginning of a line of dialogue can indicate a pause or hesitation.
* Specific effect: In very specific creative writing contexts, an ellipsis might be used at the start of a sentence to create a particular mood or effect.
Remember: Using an ellipsis at the beginning of a sentence is rare and should be avoided unless you have a very specific reason.