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By The Way After All As A Matter of Fact: Conjunctive Adverb

The document discusses proper punctuation when using connecting words and phrases between clauses. It provides examples of combining two sentences into a compound or complex sentence using commas, semicolons, or conjunctions. When using conjunctive adverbs like "however", "therefore", or "nevertheless" at the beginning of a sentence, a comma should follow to set it off as a parenthetical expression.

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14 views

By The Way After All As A Matter of Fact: Conjunctive Adverb

The document discusses proper punctuation when using connecting words and phrases between clauses. It provides examples of combining two sentences into a compound or complex sentence using commas, semicolons, or conjunctions. When using conjunctive adverbs like "however", "therefore", or "nevertheless" at the beginning of a sentence, a comma should follow to set it off as a parenthetical expression.

Uploaded by

danielito
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Connectors. Usage.

(Merriam Webster Dictionary of English Usage)

When speaking, people often interrupt their sentences with expressions such as by the way, after all,
or as a matter of fact. These expressions are not really part of the main idea of the sentence; instead,
they are interrupting—or parenthetical— expressions.
You have already learned that commas and periods may be used to separate the clauses in compound
and complex sentences.
▶Two separate sentences, ending each with a period.
I don’t play tennis well. I have a poor backhand.
▶Form a compound sentence by joining the clauses with a coordinating conjunction, a
conjunctive adverb, or just a semicolon if the relationship between the clauses is clear
without a conjunction.
I don’t play tennis well, for I have a poor backhand.
I have a poor backhand; as a result, I don’t play tennis well.
I have a poor backhand; therefore, I don’t play tennis well.
I don’t play tennis well; I have a poor backhand.
▶form a complex sentence by placing a subordinating conjunction before one of the clauses.
I have a poor backhand because I don’t play tennis well.
Because I don’t play tennis well, I have a poor backhand
▶two independent clauses joined with not enough punctuation with only a comma
She is a full-time student, she works forty hours a week. (comma splices)
A comma by itself is not a strong enough punctuation mark to separate two independent
clauses. Only periods and semicolons can be used without conjunctions to separate
independent clauses.
She is a full-time student. She works forty hours a week.
She is a full-time student; she works forty hours a week.
She is a full-time student, but she works forty hours a week.
She is a full-time student; in addition she works forty hours a week.

comma + coordinating conjunction for, but, and,


semicolon + conjunctive adverb + comma therefore, as a result, however,
no comma or semicolon + subordination conjunction because, although,

In writing, a parenthetical expression must be completely set off from the rest of the sentence by
commas.

●however
The only point that needs to be made is that there is no absolute rule for the placement of
however ; each writer must decide each instance on its own merits, and place the word where
it accomplishes its purpose. Use commas (,)
I thought the plan was a secret. However, everyone seems to know about it.
I thought the plan was a secret. Everyone, however, seems to know about it.
More rare, at the end of the sentence.
I thought the plan was a secret. Everyone seems to know about it, however.
●therefore, thus, hence
At the beginning of the sentence. Use comma (,) after it.
This second group are verbs that do not act on anything. Thus,/Therefore,/Hence, you can see
that there are two kinds of verbs.

●nevertheless, nonetheless
Conjunctive adverbs, like however and nevertheless, are considered parenthetical* and are set
off from the clause in which they occur. They should be punctuated in simple sentences as
follows:

At the beginning of the sentence. Use comma (,) after it.


There existed much variation from place to place and time to time during this whole period.
Nevertheless, it is convenient to think […]

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