Conjunctive Adverbs: 50+ Popular Conjunctive Adverbs for English Students

Have you ever heard of conjunctive adverbs? If not, don’t worry, you’re not alone! Even native English speakers may not be familiar with this term. However, understanding conjunctive adverbs is crucial for anyone looking to improve their writing skills. In this article, we’ll cover what conjunctive adverbs are, how to use them correctly, and provide examples to help you master this important grammar concept.

Conjunctive Adverbs

What Are Conjunctive Adverbs?

Conjunctive adverbs are words that are used to connect clauses or sentences. They indicate a relationship between the clauses or sentences, such as cause and effect, contrast, or time. Some examples of conjunctive adverbs include “however,” “therefore,” “as a result,” “consequently,” “nevertheless,” “otherwise,” “still,” and “then.”

Conjunctive adverbs are often used in writing to link ideas and provide transitions between different parts of a text. They can be placed at the beginning of a clause or sentence, or they can be inserted in the middle. When placed at the beginning of a clause or sentence, they are usually followed by a comma. For example:

• However, I don’t think we should go out in the rain.
• Therefore, I suggest that we stay inside.
• As a result, the project was a complete success.
• Consequently, I am very proud of our team.
• Nevertheless, there are still some challenges that we need to overcome.
• Otherwise, we might not be able to meet our deadline.
• Still, there is a lot of work to be done.
• Then, we can move on to the next phase of the project.

Conjunctive adverbs can be used to indicate a variety of relationships between clauses or sentences, such as cause and effect, contrast, or time. They are an important part of written language and can help to make writing more coherent and easier to understand.

How to Use Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs are used to join clauses and indicate the relationship between the clauses. They can be used to show cause and effect, contrast, comparison, or other relationships between ideas. Here are some tips for using conjunctive adverbs in your writing:

1. Place the conjunctive adverb at the beginning of the second clause.

• I was tired, so I went to bed early. (shows cause and effect)

2. Follow the conjunctive adverb with a comma.

• I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining. (shows contrast)

3. Use conjunctive adverbs to add variety to your writing and to make your ideas more cohesive.

• I like to play sports, and I also like to read. (shows addition)

4. Choose the appropriate conjunctive adverb to indicate the relationship between the clauses.

• I was hungry, therefore I made a sandwich. (shows cause and effect)
• I like dogs, however, cats are my favorite. (shows contrast)

5. Use conjunctive adverbs sparingly. Overuse of conjunctive adverbs can make your writing feel repetitive or unnecessarily complex.

List of Conjunctive Adverbs

Below is the conjunctive adverb list in English you should learn.

• Accordingly
• Furthermore
• Moreover
• Again
• Similarly
• Also
• Just as
• Hence
• Namely
• Still
• Anyway
• Notably
• However
• Nevertheless
• Uniquely
• Then
• Next
• Almost
• Thereafter
• Certainly
• Indeed
• Nonetheless
• Therefore
• Consequently
• Instead
• Now
• Thus
• Finally
• Likewise
• Further
• Meanwhile
• Perhaps
• Subsequently
• Yet
• Equally
• Elsewhere
• Conversely
• In addition
• Anyway
• Undoubtedly
• Besides
• Incidentally
• Otherwise
• Regardless
• Additionally
• Comparatively
• Contrarily
• Eventually
• Henceforth
• Rather
• In contrast

Common Examples of Conjunctive Adverbs

Some of the most common conjunctive adverbs include:

• However: This adverb is used to show contrast between two ideas. For example, “She wanted to go to the party, however, she was feeling sick.”
• Therefore: This adverb is used to show cause and effect. For example, “He didn’t study for the test, therefore, he failed.”
• Moreover: This adverb is used to show continuation of the same idea. For example, “She loves reading books, moreover, she enjoys writing her own stories.”
• Furthermore: This adverb is also used to show continuation of the same idea. For example, “He is a great athlete, furthermore, he excels in academics as well.”
• Nevertheless: This adverb is used to show contrast between two ideas. For example, “She was afraid of heights, nevertheless, she decided to go skydiving.”
• Additionally: This adverb is used to show continuation of the same idea. For example, “We need to buy groceries, additionally, we need to pick up the dry cleaning.”

Using Conjunctive Adverbs in Sentences

When it comes to using conjunctive adverbs, there are a few things to keep in mind. These adverbs are used to connect ideas and show how they relate to each other. Here are some ways to use conjunctive adverbs in sentences.

Connecting Main Clauses

One of the most common ways to use conjunctive adverbs is to connect main clauses. These are two independent clauses that can stand on their own as complete sentences. When using a conjunctive adverb to connect two main clauses, it’s important to use a semicolon before the adverb and a comma after it. For example:

• We went to the beach; however, it started to rain.

In this example, “however” is the conjunctive adverb that connects the two main clauses. The semicolon and comma help to separate the two ideas and make the sentence easier to understand.

Showing Cause and Effect

Another way to use conjunctive adverbs is to show cause and effect. These adverbs can help to explain why something happened or what the result of an action was. Some common conjunctive adverbs used to show cause and effect include “therefore,” “consequently,” and “as a result.” For example:

• I forgot my keys; consequently, I had to call a locksmith.

In this example, “consequently” shows the cause and effect relationship between forgetting the keys and having to call a locksmith.

Indicating Contrast

Finally, conjunctive adverbs can be used to indicate contrast. These adverbs show how two ideas are different or opposite from each other. Some common conjunctive adverbs used to indicate contrast include “however,” “nevertheless,” and “on the other hand.” For example:

• I love pizza; however, my sister hates it.

In this example, “however” shows the contrast between the speaker’s love of pizza and their sister’s dislike of it.

Punctuation with Conjunctive Adverbs

Commas and Semicolons

When using a conjunctive adverb to connect two independent clauses in the same sentence, you must use proper punctuation. Place a semicolon at the end of the first clause and use a conjunctive adverb at the beginning of the second clause. Place a comma after the conjunctive adverb to separate it from the second clause.

For example: “She was tired; however, she decided to go to the gym anyway.”

If the conjunctive adverb is a single syllable, no comma is necessary. However, if the adverb appears in the middle of a clause, it should be enclosed in commas most of the time. This is not an absolute rule and does not normally apply to short clauses.

Full Stops

When using a conjunctive adverb to connect two independent clauses in different sentences, you can use a full stop. Use a period at the end of the first sentence and capitalize the conjunctive adverb in the second sentence.

For example: “She was tired. However, she decided to go to the gym anyway.”

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Incorrect Placement

One of the most common mistakes when using conjunctive adverbs is placing them in the wrong part of the sentence. Remember that conjunctive adverbs should be placed between two independent clauses, and they should be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. If you place the conjunctive adverb in the wrong place, it can lead to confusion and make your writing difficult to understand.

For example, instead of writing “I love pizza; however, I’m trying to eat healthier,” some learners might write “I love pizza, however, I’m trying to eat healthier.” This is incorrect because the conjunctive adverb “however” should be placed after the semicolon, not after the comma.

Overuse of Conjunctive Adverbs

Another common mistake is overusing conjunctive adverbs. While they can be useful for connecting ideas and making your writing flow more smoothly, using too many conjunctive adverbs can make your writing sound choppy and repetitive. It’s important to use them sparingly and only when they are necessary.

Instead of using a conjunctive adverb in every sentence, try to vary your sentence structure and use other types of transitions, such as coordinating conjunctions or transitional phrases. This will make your writing more interesting and engaging for the reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some examples of using conjunctive adverbs?

Some common examples of conjunctive adverbs include “however,” “therefore,” “meanwhile,” and “consequently.” These words are used to connect two independent clauses and show the relationship between them. For example: “I really wanted to go to the party; however, I had to study for an exam.”

How do conjunctive adverbs work with semicolons?

When using a conjunctive adverb to connect two independent clauses, writers often use a semicolon before the adverb and a comma after it. For example: “She didn’t like the movie; however, she enjoyed the soundtrack.” This helps to clarify the relationship between the two clauses.

Can ‘although’ be considered a conjunctive adverb?

‘Although’ is not typically considered a conjunctive adverb, but rather a subordinating conjunction. Unlike conjunctive adverbs, subordinating conjunctions do not connect two independent clauses. Instead, they create a dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence.

What is the role of commas with conjunctive adverbs?

When using a conjunctive adverb to connect two independent clauses, a comma is typically used after the adverb. This helps to separate the two clauses and clarify the relationship between them. For example: “I love pizza; however, I am allergic to cheese.”

How do you use a conjunctive adverb after a semicolon?

When using a conjunctive adverb to connect two independent clauses, a semicolon is typically used before the adverb and a comma is used after it. For example: “She was tired; therefore, she decided to take a nap.”

What is the definition of a conjunctive adverb?

A conjunctive adverb is a type of adverb used to connect and modify two independent clauses. It does this by turning the second clause into an adverbial modifier of the first. Conjunctive adverbs can be used as transition words to introduce condition, consequence, clarification, comparison, and contrast.

Last Updated on November 8, 2023