Conjunctive Adverbs

What are Conjunctive Adverbs?

Conjunctive adverbs are “hybrids” that do the work of conjunctions by following a semicolon that joins two complete sentences. They work to express the logical relationship between the two ideas of two sentences.

Let’s Break It Down!

Conjunctive: At its root, a conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases (groups of words that do not contain both a subject and a verb), or clauses (groups of words that do contain subjects and verbs).

Adverb: An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb. Single word adverbs usually answer how, when, or where. Extended word adverbs in the form of phrases or clauses answer why and for what purpose.

How Can I Spot a Conjunctive Adverb?

A conjunctive adverb is usually seen in a sentence after a semicolon. The semicolon is the indication that the sentence is being broken up into two parts and the conjunctive adverb works to be the bridge between the two sentences.

Some conjunctive adverbs are commonly referred to as “transitions” in most writing courses as they work to connect two separate ideas into one sentence.

When Will I Use a Conjunctive Adverb?

A conjunctive adverb will allow you to join together two completely separate sentences that make logical sense to be joined together. It serves as a bridge that provides readers with the connection between two ideas.

Examples of Conjunctive Adverbs:

·

· accordingly

· additionally

· also

· consequently

· finally

· furthermore

· hence

· however

· in conclusion

· indeed

· instead

· likewise

· meanwhile

· moreover

· nevertheless

· nonetheless

· on the contrary

· otherwise

· thus

· therefore

· still

· then

· on the other hand

· in addition

· in contrast

Show me a Conjunctive Adverb in a sentence!

Example A:

David was tired of being at the party; consequently, his girlfriend left the house to fetch the car from the parking lot.

Example B:

Alexis loved being away at college; meanwhile, her family wished that she was still living with them in Massillon.

Example C:

The pledges were not allowed to spend a lot of time active sisters; however, the pledges were able to spend as much time with each other as they wished.

How Do I Punctuate a Sentence With a Conjunctive Adverb?

A conjunctive adverb combines two separate sentences. Thus, it is important to distinguish between the two different ideas that you wish to connect. Once you can identify the two separate parts, put a semicolon after the first half. After the semicolon you insert the conjunctive adverb. A comma follows the conjunctive adverb. After the comma, you should insert the second sentence and follow it with a period.

First sentence; conjunctive adverb, second sentence.

Why Do They Matter?

Conjunctive adverbs are important because they serve as important transitions between ideas. These hybrid words/phrases are able to conjoin ideas that other types of conjunctions (like coordinating conjunctions-FANBOYS) could not do. Additionally, they can act as ways to help paragraphs and academic papers flow together well.

Works Cited

San Francisco Public Library's Historical Photograph database. Marshal 'J' (Narrator) (1962).

Vitto, Cindy L. Grammar by Diagram: Understanding English Grammar through Traditional Sentence Diagraming. 2nd ed. Peterborough, Ont. ; Orchard Park, N.Y: Broadview Press, 2006. Print.