What Are Conjunctive Adverbs? (with Examples)

Conjunctive Adverbs

A conjunctive adverb is a word (or short phrase) that provides a link to the previous sentence or previous independent clause. Here is a list of common conjunctive adverbs:

also
consequently
furthermore
however
incidentally
indeed
likewise
meanwhile
nevertheless
nonetheless
therefore

They 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. As a result, 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.

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 René Descartes)

Click on Two Conjunctive Adverbs

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A Video Summary

Here is a short video summarizing this page on conjunctive adverbs:

Why Should I Care about Conjunctive Adverbs?

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.

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

Use a conjunctive adverb at the start of a sentence to provide the transition from one idea to the next.
If you want a really smooth transition, precede your conjunctive adverb with a semicolon.
Don't precede your conjunctive adverb with a comma. (And, yes, that includes with "however.")

Interactive Exercise

Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.

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