Conjunctive Adverbs
It was raining; however, we played tennis.
Conjunctive adverbs are words or phrases that connect two independent clauses or sentences. They help to show the relationship between ideas in sentences, such as cause and effect, contrast or sequence. Unlike coordinating conjunctions (and, but, so...), conjunctive adverbs can be more flexible in their placement within a sentence. They can also add a more formal tone to writing.
How conjunctive adverbs work
When you use a conjunctive adverb to join two independent clauses, it’s important to use proper punctuation. Typically, a semicolon (;) comes before the conjunctive adverb, and a comma (,) comes after it (though not always). Here's the structure:
Independent clause 1; conjunctive adverb, independent clause 2.
For example:
- The train was late; therefore, I missed my appointment.
- It was raining heavily; however, the game continued.
However, other positions and punctuation are sometimes possible, as we shall see later.
Technically, conjunctive adverbs are NOT conjunctions. True coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so—FANBOYS) join two independent clauses or sentences directly, without special punctuation:
- John drinks tea and Mary drinks coffee.
Conjunctive adverbs, on the other hand, don't directly connect clauses in the same way. Instead, they clarify the relationship between two independent clauses or sentences:
- John drinks tea; however, Mary drinks coffee.
- John drinks tea. However, Mary drinks coffee.
Common conjunctive adverbs and their functions
We can use many different adverbs as conjunctions to join two independent clauses or sentences. However, it helps to think of them in terms of the function (or "job") that they perform. Here are some examples:
1. To show addition or agreement
- moreover—She loves playing the piano; moreover, she is a great singer.
- furthermore—The exam was difficult; furthermore, it was too long.
2. To show contrast
- however—He studied hard for the test; however, he didn't pass.
- on the other hand—I love summer; on the other hand, winter has its charm.
3. To show cause and effect
- therefore—She didn’t study for the exam; therefore, she failed.
- consequently—The factory closed down; consequently, many workers lost their jobs.
4. To show sequence or time
- meanwhile—The kids were playing outside; meanwhile, their mother was preparing lunch.
- then—Finish your homework; then you can go out with your friends.
Note that short conjunctive adverbs like then don't always need a comma following.
5. To show emphasis
- indeed—She is a talented writer; indeed, she has won several awards.
- in fact—He doesn’t like seafood; in fact, he’s allergic to it.
6. To show an alternative
- otherwise—We must leave now; otherwise we'll miss the flight.
- alternatively—You can drive to the beach; alternatively, you could take the train.
Some common conjunctive adverbs
| conjunctive adverbs | function |
| moreover, furthermore, additionally, also | addition |
| however, nevertheless, on the other hand, in contrast | contrast |
| therefore, thus, consequently, as a result | cause and effect |
| meanwhile, then, next, subsequently | sequence/time |
| indeed, in fact, certainly, surely | emphasis |
| otherwise, alternatively | alternatives |
Punctuation tips
1. When connecting two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb, use a semicolon before the adverb and a comma after it:
- She was tired; however, she went to work anyway.
2. If the conjunctive adverb is at the beginning of a sentence, just use a comma after it:
- She was tired. However, she went to work anyway.
3. Some conjunctive adverbs can also appear in the middle or at the end of a clause/sentence for emphasis. If placed in the middle, they should be set off with commas:
- Tara is very fit. She is, however, not interested in sports.
- Normally I love music. I didn't enjoy this concert, however.
Placement of conjunctive adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs can be placed at different points within a sentence, depending on the emphasis or style. While they are commonly used at the beginning of a sentence or clause, they can also appear in the middle or at the end. The position of the conjunctive adverb can change the focus or rhythm of the sentence but does not alter the meaning.
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Beginning of the clause or sentence:
Almost any conjunctive adverb can appear at the beginning of a sentence or clause. This placement clearly signals the relationship between two independent clauses or ideas.- The weather was terrible; therefore, we cancelled the picnic.
- The project was delayed; consequently, we missed the deadline.
-
Middle of the clause or sentence: Conjunctive adverbs that express contrast (however, nevertheless, on the other hand), or sequence (then, next) and emphasis (indeed, in fact, certainly) can often be placed in the middle of a sentence. They are usually set off by commas and appear between the subject and verb or after the auxiliary verb for clarity and flow.
- He woke up late; but he was, however, able to attend the meeting.
- They had promised to finish on time; they did, in fact, complete the task one week early.
Note: Conjunctive adverbs that indicate a strict cause-and-effect relationship (therefore, thus, consequently) are less common in the middle of a sentence, as they tend to function better at the beginning to clearly introduce the effect of the previous clause.
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End of the clause or sentence:
Only a few conjunctive adverbs, especially those that suggest continuation, contrast,or an afterthought, can naturally appear at the end of a sentence. Words like nevertheless, anyway, still and however often work well at the end.- I didn’t like the plan; I went along with it anyway.
- The deadline was tight; they managed to finish on time nevertheless.
Each placement adds a slightly different nuance to the sentence, allowing flexibility in writing and speaking.
Key points:
- Contrastive adverbs such as however, nevertheless, and still can generally be used in all three positions (beginning, middle, or end), giving them more flexibility.
- Causal adverbs like therefore, thus, and consequently are best suited for the beginning of a clause or sentence to clearly signal the result of the previous statement.
- Adverbs indicating continuation or an afterthought (for example, anyway, besides) often fit more naturally at the end of a sentence.
Understanding the natural flow and context will help you choose the best position for conjunctive adverbs, enhancing both the clarity and style of your sentences.
Using coordinating conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs together
It’s possible to use coordinating conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs in the same sentence, but they play different roles. The coordinating conjunction directly joins two independent clauses, while the conjunctive adverb adds extra meaning, such as showing contrast, cause or emphasis. When doing this, the coordinating conjunction comes first, and the conjunctive adverb is placed after it, often without commas.
-
They missed the deadline, and they therefore had to pay a late fee.
(Here, and joins the clauses, while therefore reinforces the consequence.) -
It was raining, but we nevertheless played tennis.
(Here, but joins and shows contrast, and nevertheless emphasizes that they played despite the rain.) -
She felt unprepared, yet she still decided to give the presentation.
(Here, yet joins and contrasts the clauses, and still highlights that her decision was made in spite of feeling unprepared.) -
They both wanted to stay home, but John, however, went to the party.
(Here, but joins the clauses and introduces the contrast, while however strengthens it by showing the unexpected outcome.)
Conclusion
Conjunctive adverbs are powerful tools for linking ideas and showing relationships between clauses and within sentences. They help make your writing smoother and clearer. By understanding how to use them correctly, you can enhance the flow and coherence of your sentences.
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