Conjunctive Adverbs

A conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses or sentences. Other adverbs modify or add to a word, but a conjunctive affects two sentences. The word “conjunctive” comes from the Latin for “join together.”

A conjunctive adverb brings together two complete thoughts. Each clause can stand on its own as a sentence. The first clause is followed by a semi-colon.  Sometimes there is a comma after the conjunctive adverb.
Following is a list of conjunctive adverbs:

also, anyway, besides, certainly, earlier, finally, further, for instance, for example, however, hence, in addition, instead, later, likewise, moreover, namely, next, now, nevertheless, on the other hand, otherwise, perhaps, so, still, then, therefore, thus, and undoubtedly. 

Conjunctive adverbs can be grouped according to function. This may help you understand them a bit better:

• Sometimes their function is addition, and examples of these would be: “in addition, next, still, also, and again.”
• Comparison is another way they work, such as words like “also, likewise, and similarly.”
• Concession is sometimes made with words like “granted and of course.”
• Adverbs like “although, instead, in spite of, and regardless”, show a contrast.
• Sometimes emphasis is the function, with words like “indeed, of course, and certainly.”
• Conjunctive adverbs can illustrate with words such as: “for example, namely, thus, and in conclusion.”
• Words that summarize include: “all in all, that is, in summary, and finally.”
• Time can be referred to with these words: “before, meanwhile, furthermore, lately, now, since, and thereafter.”      

Conjunctive adverbs are also called adverbial conjunctions. Here are a few examples to further illustrate what they do for sentences.

• I wanted to see a scary movie; however, my friend wanted to see a comedy.
• You need to concentrate on your studies; otherwise, you will fail the class.
• The thunder and lightning were intense; consequently, the crowd dispersed.
• He enjoyed getting a new tie; nevertheless, a sports car would have been a better gift.
• We really need to go to the mall; in addition, we should see a movie.
• Conjunctive adverbs act like conjunctions; however, they are adverbs. 

Conjunctive adverbs can also function as a regular adverb and modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. In this case, they will not need extra punctuation.
Here is an example:

“He was accordingly very interested in jazz.”

In this sentence the word “accordingly” is acting like an adverb and modifying the verb “interested.”
Many times a conjunctive adverb will start a sentence and need a comma after it since it appears before an independent clause. Following are some examples:

• Therefore, I will eat green eggs and ham.
• In other words, English is a hard language.
• Above all, we must try and save the planet.

Remember, adverbs change or modify verbs. Many end with "ly" which makes them easy to spot. Other adverbs, such as conjunctive adverbs may also end with "ly" (such as accordingly) or may not end in "ly" (such as also, next and before)


https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/3/4/76/

Conjunctions and Coordination

This resource was written by Tony Cimasko.
Last edited by Allen Brizee on November 5, 2008 .

Summary:
This resource provides guidelines and practice activities for effectively combining shorter, simpler sentences into longer ones.

Combining Sentences

Writing shorter sentences is an easy strategy for getting your thoughts down fast when you’re writing first drafts, and for avoiding grammar mistakes, but in the end it weakens the effectiveness of your writing.  If you can combine simpler sentences into longer and more complex ones, your writing will have a lot more variety.  It will also help you to communicate more content to your audiences—when you combine sentences, you can efficiently tell your readers about the relationships between different things.

The following will give you some basic information on how to combine sentences, and then you will have the chance to practice sentence combining yourself.

Conjunctions

Conjunctions are simple words that allow you to connect two sentences without having to change any of the words in the original sentences:

and, but, nor, or, so, yet, for

Example:  Maria created a résumé.  She copied it on expensive, high-quality paper.  Her prospective employer was not accepting resumés.

Revision:  Maria created a résumé, and she copied it on expensive, high-quality paper, but her prospective employer was not accepting résumés.

Coordination

These words work in ways that parallel the simple conjunctions listed above, but they are more complex.  The definitions of these words can overlap, so you want to be careful about how and when you use them.
consequently, therefore:  Something happened or something is true because of something preceding it.

Example:  Jonathan read the company website and articles about the company before his interview.  He was able to ask very good questions during his interview.

Revision:  Jonathan read the company website and articles about the company before his interview; therefore, he was able to ask very good questions during his interview.

furthermore, in addition, moreover:  Similar to the word “and,” but with more of a relationship to the first part of the sentence.

Example:  Soo-yeon checked the grammar in her college application essay twice.  She asked her neighbor to check the grammar one more time.

Revision:  Soo-yeon checked the grammar in her college application essay twice; in addition, she asked her neighbor to check the grammar one more time.

however: Just like the word “but,” only for longer sentences.

Example:  Miguel’s car didn’t start this morning.  He got a jump start from his neighbor and was able to make it to his appointment on time.

Revision:  Miguel’s car didn’t start this morning; however, he got a jump start from his neighbor and was able to make it to his appointment on time.

indeed, in fact:  Similar to the word “and,” but there is a closer relationship to the first part of the sentence, and it extends the information in the first part of the sentence.

Example:  Priya seems to be a workaholic.  She spent the holiday in her office finishing the report.

Revision:  Priya seems to be a workaholic; in fact, she spent the holiday in her office finishing the report.

nevertheless:  Very similar to the word “but,” but the truth of what comes before “nevertheless” is emphasized.

Example:  All his friends have been praising the high quality of service in the new coffee shop for months.  When he went there, the server was quite rude.

Revision:  All his friends have been praising the high quality of service in the new coffee shop for months; nevertheless, when he went there, the server was quite rude.

then:  Something happening in sequence, after a previous event.

Example:  Wenyu carefully reviewed the credit cards offers she had received this month.  She chose the one with the best terms and completed the application.

Revision:  Wenyu carefully reviewed the credit cards offers she had received this month; then, she chose the one with the best terms and completed the application.

 http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Transitions.html