Conjunctive Adverbs

For Intermediate learners

As their name requires, conjunctive adverbs are used to connect two clauses. They can be moved around in the sentence. So, read the article to learn the rules.

"Conjunctive Adverbs" in the English Grammar

What Are Conjunctive Adverbs?

Conjunctive adverbs (also called adverbial conjunctions or subordinating adverbs) are used to connect two independent clauses together and show the relationship between them.

Common Conjunctive Adverbs

Below is a list of some of the most common conjunctive adverbs in English:

However
Also
Besides
Then

Now, let us see some examples:

The situation is not good right now. However, it could get worse.

As you can see, both clauses are independent.

Nothing good will come out of it. Besides, he is the one who hurt you in the first place, remember?

Conjunctive Adverbs: Uses

Conjunctive adverbs are used in various contexts. We are going to discuss some of the most important ones below:

Cause and Effect
Adding Details
Comparison
Providing Examples

Cause and Effect

We can use conjunctive adverbs to show why something happened and what was the result. The first clause shows the cause and the second one indicates the effect. Some of the most commonly-used cause and effect conjunctive adverbs are as follows:

Because
As a result
Consequently
Therefore

Now, let us take a look at some examples:

She refused to talk to him. Therefore, they broke up.

He went to Stanford University. As a result, he could easily get the job.

Adding Details

We can use conjunctive adverbs to add ideas and extra information to the clause. Below are some of the commonly-used conjunctive adverbs in this category. Take a look:

Also
Besides
Moreover

Let us examine some examples below:

I want to become an actress. Also, I love to sing and dance.

Morty will hurt you again. Besides, he is a pathological liar.

Comparison

When we want to compare people, objects, or any other two things with each other, we can use conjunctive adverbs. Some of the most common conjunctive adverbs of comparison are listed below:

Similarly
Equally
Likewise

Now take a look at the examples below:

He was a rustic boy. Similarly, his fiancé was also born in the village.

She had a habit of constantly nagging. Likewise, her daughter nags all the time.

Providing Examples

When we want to provide examples to support our claims, we can use conjunctive adverbs. Below is a list of common conjunctive adverbs used for this purpose:

For example
That is
Namely

Now, let us take a look at some examples:

Listening to music helps you a lot. For example, it helps you to relax.

Some famous stars, namely Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, have donated a large sum of money to Ukraine.

Punctuation

When using conjunctive adverbs in sentences, there are specific rules for punctuation. If the clause before them is independent, we can use either a period or a semicolon between the independent clause and the conjunctive adverb. Take a look at the following example:

I don't want to continue this anymore. Besides, who cares about what other people may or may not think of us?

If the clause begins with a conjunctive adverb, use a comma after it. Study the following example:

However, let's stick to the main topic.

If the conjunctive adverb is put in the middle of the sentence, we usually put commas before and after it. Take a look at the following example:

Go for it, though, you might not be able to reach it.

Warning!

Please note that when the conjunctive adverb only has one syllable, we do not use any commas before or after it. Look at the following example:

Go to professor Rey's office and get her signature then come back here.

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What Are Conjunctive Adverbs?
Common Conjunctive Adverbs
Punctuation

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