Conjunctive Adverbs

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What Are Conjunctive Adverbs?

A conjunctive adverb is a word that joins two sentences or independent clauses. "However," "consequently," and "therefore" are common conjunctive adverbs.

The purpose of a conjunctive adverb is to provide a link between the ideas in the two sentences or clauses. Here are some more common conjunctive adverbs:

• also, furthermore, incidentally, indeed, likewise, meanwhile, nevertheless, nonetheless

Conjunctive adverbs can also be phrases (i.e., not just single words):

• as a result, as a consequence, for example, on the contrary

Conjunctive adverbs are also known as transitional phrases because they act like a bridge (i.e., provide the transition) from one idea to the next idea. They are good for keeping your readers on track with your thinking and creating easy-to-follow texts.

Examples of Conjunctive Adverbs in Sentences

Here are some examples of conjunctive adverbs in sentences:

• The instructor's English is poor; consequently, they all failed the exam.
• The instructor's English is poor. Consequently, they all failed the exam.

Note that a conjunctive adverb is preceded by a semicolon when it joins two independent clauses but a period (full stop) when it joins two sentences.

• Mr. Evans is my father; however, I am not responsible for what he says.
• You failed to meet the deadline. Therefore, the deal is off.

Read more about semicolons before transitional phrases.

Real-Life Examples of Conjunctive Adverbs

Here are some real-life sentences that feature conjunctive adverbs:

• God could not be everywhere. Therefore, he made mothers. (Author Rudyard Kipling)

A conjunctive adverb typically starts a new sentence, but, if you wanted a smooth transition between your ideas, it is possible to use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb.

• Orthodox medicine has not found an answer to your complaint; however, luckily for you, I happen to be a quack. (Cartoonist Mischa Richter)
• When I took part in European summits, it was unpleasant for me to hear Romanian, Polish, Portuguese and Italian friends speak English, although I admit first contacts can be made in this language. Nevertheless, I will defend everywhere the use of the French language. (Good luck with that, President Francois Hollande.)
• Not all chemicals are bad. For example, without hydrogen and oxygen, there'd be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer. (Author Dave Barry)
• To a pagan, there is no purpose to suffering; as a result, he lives a life of loneliness and frustration. (Mother Mary Angelica)
• I think; therefore, I am. (French philosopher Rene Descartes)

"Find the Conjunctive Adverb" Test

Click on the Two Conjunctive Adverbs
(Interactive Game)

Video Lesson

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Why Conjunctive Adverbs Are Important

Using a conjunctive adverb is a great way to keep your readers on track because it prepares them for the impending information by contextualizing it with the story so far. (NB: As conjunctive adverbs provide the logic for the transition between your ideas, they are also known as transitional phrases.) Here's the biggest mistake with conjunctive adverbs: You can't use a comma before one. No, really, you can't. No, really.

• The instructor's English is poor, consequently, they all failed the exam.
• You failed to meet the deadline, therefore, the deal is off.
• I normally like toffees, however, I dislike these ones.
(This is a very common mistake, especially with the word however.)

Note: A conjunctive adverb bridging two sentences or independent clauses is followed by a comma but not preceded by one.

Preceding "however" (or any conjunctive adverb) with a comma and writing a new sentence is known as a run-on error or a comma-fault error. Remember that a conjunctive adverb is typically written with a capital letter and is preceded by the end punctuation (usually a period) of the last sentence. It is possible to use a lowercase letter for your conjunctive adverb and precede it with a semicolon, but don't do that too often. It quickly gets annoying. Read more about using semicolons.

Key Points

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