Conjunctive adverb

A conjunctive adverb, adverbial conjunction, or subordinating adverb is an adverb that connects two clauses by converting the clause it introduces into an adverbial modifier of the verb in the main clause. For example, in “I told him; thus, he knows” and “I told him. Thus, he knows”, “thus” is a conjunctive adverb.

Examples

Some examples containing conjunctive adverbs are:

Bob loved Mary with all his heart; however, he knew he could not be with her.

I cleaned my room; then I went to the store.

I cleaned my room, and then I went to the store.

Logic

The clause that a conjunctive adverb introduces invariably modifies a (usually previously expressed) logical predication. Specific conjunctive adverbs are used to signal and signify purpose or reason (so that) sequence (then, since), exception (though), and comparison (whereas).

Common English conjunctive adverbs

Some common English conjunctive adverbs are accordingly, also, anyway, besides, certainly, consequently, finally, furthermore, hence, however, in addition, in fact, incidentally, indeed, instead, lately, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, nonetheless, now, otherwise, rather, similarly, since, still, subsequently, then, thereby, therefore, and thus.

English punctuation

Conjunctive adverbs are preceded by a semicolon or a period (full stop). They are usually followed by a comma. For example, “I told him; however, he did not remember” and “I told him. However, he did not remember” are both valid.

See also

• Grammatical conjunction
• Transition words

References

Online sources

"The Mayfield Handbook of Technical & Scientific Writing\website=Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)\date=December 16, 2020\url=http://web.mit.edu/course/21/21.guide/cnj-adv.htm". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)