“Today’s English grammar topic is one that is often overlooked but can really help you become more advanced in using the language if you know how to do so correctly and by following the rules behind it.”
Today’s English grammar topic is one that is often overlooked but can really help you become more advanced in using the language if you know how to do so correctly and by following the rules behind it. What I am referring to are ‘conjunctive adverbs’ which can help improve your sentences in terms of the meaning and to explain further about each independent clause within the sentence.
Conjunctive adverbs are words that are used to join two or more independent clauses into one sentence. A conjunctive adverb can help you to create a shorter sentence that still contains the necessary details to be complete. When you use a conjunctive adverb in a sentence, it’s necessary to follow the main rule otherwise it won’t work out.
The main rule for the placement of a conjunctive adverb is to put a semicolon (;) before it and a comma (,) after it. There are very few exceptions to this rule and without observing it, the sentence structure will suffer as a result.
Example
- We have many different sizes of this shirt; however, it comes in only one color.
Some examples of conjunctive adverbs are: accordingly, also, besides, consequently, finally, however, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, otherwise, still, therefore, then, etc.
More Examples
- The due date for the midterm paper has passed; therefore, I could not submit mine on time.
- There are many history books; however, some of them may not be accurate.
- It rained hard; moreover, lightning flashed, and thunder boomed.
- The tired baby fell asleep; then, the doorbell rang, waking her up.
- The law does not permit drinking and driving anytime; otherwise, there would be many more car accidents.
Conjunctive adverbs look like coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so, for, yet, nor); however, they are not as strong as coordinating conjunctions and they are punctuated differently. Compared to coordinating conjunctions in particular, there are many more words out there that can function as conjunctive adverbs. There are a lot less coordinating or subordinating junctions out there when compared to the amount of adverbs that can be used for conjunctive purposes.
A conjunctive adverb is also used in a single main clause. In this case, only a comma (,) is used to separate the conjunctive adverb from the rest of the sentence. There’s no semicolon (;) in the case of these examples so it’s important to remember that you don’t always need a comma and a semicolon together in between your conjunctive adverb.
- I woke up very late this morning. Nevertheless, I wasn’t late to school.
- She didn’t take a bus to work today. Instead, she took the commuter train.
- Jack wants a toy car for his birthday. Meanwhile, Jill wants a dollhouse for her birthday.
- They returned home. Likewise, I went home after the party.
List of the Most Popular Conjunctive Adverbs
- accordingly
- additionally
- also
- anyway
- besides
- certainly
- comparatively
- consequently
- conversely
- elsewhere
- equally
- finally
- further
- furthermore
- hence
- henceforth
- however
- in addition
- in comparison
- in contrast
- incidentally
- indeed
- instead
- likewise
- meanwhile
- moreover
- namely
- nevertheless
- next
- nonetheless
- now
- otherwise
- rather
- similarly
- still
- subsequently
- then
- thereafter
- therefore
- thus
- undoubtedly
- yet
Overall, there are dozens of conjunctive adverbs that can be used in the English language but the ones I’ve listed above are definitely the most common. The job of an adverb is not to always connect two main clauses but it can happen so it’s important to be aware of how and when the ‘conjunctive adverb’ can be used in a sentence.
We do sometimes used adverbs to connect ideas together. In addition, conjunctive adverbs are supposed to connect words, phrases, and clauses together in order to create great sentences that flow really well and have a deeper meaning. By using conjunctive adverbs well, you can provide smooth transitions in a sentence from one independent clause to another one. The conjunctive adverb has a really important purpose within English grammar and I hope this blog post will help you, the reader, to use it to better your writing skills and reading comprehension.
