IS H P R O F IC IE N C Y # 1 5 2

ENGL

CO N J U N C T I V E
AD V E R B
Hungrynomadph
 What is a Conjunctive
Adverb?
are also called connective adverbs or linking adverbs
also used to show sequence, contrast, cause and effect, and other
relationships.

Conjunctive adverbs are specifically used to connect two independent

clauses.
In most cases, the two clauses will be separated by a semi-colon (;) .
 What is a Conjunctive
EXAMPLE:
Adverb?
Jen hadn’t enjoyed the play. She didn’t recommend it to her friend.

Jen hadn’t enjoyed the play; therefore, she didn’t recommend it to her
friend.

We wanted to spend the day at the beach. It rained so we stayed home.

We wanted to spend the day at the beach; however, it rained so we stayed

home.
How to identify conjunctive adverbs
First, look for semicolons.
Next, look for words ending in -ly.
If you don’t see any semicolons or the -ly suffix, look for commas.
Whether you find commas or not, ask yourself if the word or
clause in question describes how, when, where, how much, or how
often something happened.
Then, ask yourself if the word or clause connects two
independent clauses.
 COMMON CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB &
FUNCTIONS
Cause or Effect Sequence Contrast Time
Accordingly Rather Beforehand
First/ Next
Consequently Instead Meanwhile
Finally
Hence However Since
Furthermore
Therefore Nevertheless Now
In addition
Then Otherwise Lately
Moreover
Thus On the other hand Then
In contrast

Illustrate Emphasis Summarize

Comparison
Indeed In conclusion
Equally For example
In fact In summary
Likewise For instance
Undoubtedly Merely
Similarly Namely
Of course Briefly
Alternatively Typically
Definitely All in all
Representatively
Certainly Overall
CHOOSING A CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB
We must consider the relationship between the first and second clause

1. Jen hadn’t enjoyed the play; therefore, she didn’t recommend it

to her friend.

2. Jen hadn’t enjoyed the play. She recommended it to her friend.

Jen hadn’t enjoyed the play; nevertheless, she

recommended it to her friend.
 CHOOSING A CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB
Cause or Effect Cause or Effect
Accordingly 1. The weather forecast predicts rain; accordingly, I will bring
Consequently my umbrella.
Hence 2. The thunder and lightning were intense; consequently, the
Therefore
Then crowd dispersed.
Thus

Sequence
Sequence
First/ Next
Finally 1. Let’s have a chat; first , I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.
Furthermore 2. We have to get you new shoes; next , I have to get the
In addition
groceries.
Moreover
 COMMON CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB &
FUNCTIONS
Cause or Effect Cause or Effect
Accordingly 1. The weather forecast predicts rain; accordingly, I will bring
Consequently my umbrella.
Hence
2. The thunder and lightning were intense; consequently, the
Therefore
Then crowd dispersed.
Thus

Sequence
Sequence
First/ Next 1. Let’s have a chat; first , I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.
Finally 2. We have to get you new shoes; next , I have to get the
Furthermore groceries.
In addition
Moreover
 COMMON CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB &
FUNCTIONS
Cause or Effect Cause or Effect
Accordingly 1. The weather forecast predicts rain; accordingly, I will bring
Consequently my umbrella.
Hence
2. The thunder and lightning were intense; consequently, the
Therefore
Then crowd dispersed.
Thus

Sequence
Sequence
First/ Next 1. Let’s have a chat; first , I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.
Finally 2. We have to get you new shoes; next , I have to get the
Furthermore groceries.
In addition
Moreover
 COMMON CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB &
FUNCTIONS
Contrast - as complete contrast, is when the two opposing
Contrast things are total opposites.
Rather 1. Tom has a black backpack; in contrast , his brother has a
Instead
However
white one.
Nevertheless 2. I absolutely love singing; on the other hand , my sister hates it.
Otherwise
On the other hand
in contrast Weak contrast. This is when the two clauses are opposing but
are not complete opposites.
** limited to using only the weaker of the contrasting conjunctive adverbs,
and not the strong ones like on the other hand and in contrast.
1. Jen is terrible at math; however , she still likes it.
2. I would have liked to stay in bed all day; instead , I got up and
went to the park.“I would have liked to stay in bed all day;
instead, I got up and went to the park.
 COMMON CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB &
FUNCTIONS
Contrast - as complete contrast, is when the two opposing
Contrast things are total opposites.
Rather 1. Tom has a black backpack; in contrast , his brother has a
Instead
white one.
However
Nevertheless 2. I absolutely love singing; on the other hand , my sister hates it.
Otherwise
On the other hand
Weak contrast. This is when the two clauses are opposing but
are not complete opposites.
** limited to using only the weaker of the contrasting conjunctive adverbs,
and not the strong ones like on the other hand and in contrast.
1. Jen is terrible at math; however , she still likes it.
2. I would have liked to stay in bed all day; instead , I got up and
went to the park.“I would have liked to stay in bed all day;
instead, I got up and went to the park.
 COMMON CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB &
FUNCTIONS
Contrast - as complete contrast, is when the two opposing
Contrast things are total opposites.
Rather 1. Tom has a black backpack; in contrast , his brother has a
Instead white one.
However
Nevertheless 2. I absolutely love singing; on the other hand , my sister hates it.
Otherwise
On the other hand
Weak contrast. This is when the two clauses are opposing but
are not complete opposites.
** limited to using only the weaker of the contrasting conjunctive adverbs,
and not the strong ones like on the other hand and in contrast.
1. Jen is terrible at math; however , she still likes it.
2. I would have liked to stay in bed all day; instead , I got up and
went to the park.“I would have liked to stay in bed all day;
instead, I got up and went to the park.
COMMON CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB &
FUNCTIONS

Time Time
Beforehand
1. The dogs used to play together on the sidewalk; now ,
Meanwhile
they can play at the dog park. Since
2. Kyle was grateful for the award; lately , he'd been feeling Now
unappreciated. Lately
COMMON CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB &
FUNCTIONS

Time Time
Beforehand
1. The dogs used to play together on the sidewalk; now ,
Meanwhile
they can play at the dog park. Since
2. Kyle was grateful for the award; lately , he'd been feeling Now
unappreciated. Lately
COMMON CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB &
FUNCTIONS

Time Time
Beforehand
1. The dogs used to play together on the sidewalk; now ,
Meanwhile
they can play at the dog park. Since
2. Kyle was grateful for the award; lately , he'd been feeling Now
unappreciated. Lately
Conjunctive adverbs are used in three
ways:
to show a function between two independent clauses in
a sentence
to show a function between two separate sentences, or
link the ideas in two or more sentences
show relationships between ideas within an independent
clause
How to punctuate conjunctive adverbs
Joining Independent Clauses
When a conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses in
one sentence, it is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a
comma.

Independent clause; [conjunctive adverb], independent clause

EXAMPLE:

I washed my hands; therefore, my hands are clean.

We can prevent the spread of disease; for instance, we can

wash our hands after using the restroom.
How to punctuate conjunctive adverbs
Transitioning at the Beginning of a Sentence
Conjunctive adverbs can appear at the beginning of a sentence
followed by a comma. The conjunctive adverb will transition from
the following sentence and can show how the following sentence is
related to the previous sentence.
Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb when it starts a single
independent clause.

I wrote for ten hours. However, I didn't finish my composition.

Use a comma before a conjunctive adverb when it ends a single

independent clause.

I wrote for ten hours. I didn't finish my composition, however.

ACTIVITY
In the following sentences, identify the conjunctive adverb.

"I think; therefore, I am." - French philosopher René

Descartes

Politics has never been for the thin-skinned or the

faint of heart, and if you enter the arena, you should
expect to get roughed up. Moreover, Democracy in a
nation of more than 300 million people is inherently
difficult. (Barack Obama)

A revolution is impossible without a revolutionary

situation; furthermore, not every revolutionary
situation leads to revolution. (Vladimir Lenin)
Key takeaways

Conjunctive adverbs join two independent clauses together.

The goal of these linking words is to offer a seamless transition
between two related ideas.
Conjunctive adverbs are usually placed between two
independent clauses following a semicolon and followed by a
comma. Place commas after conjunctive adverbs that start
sentences.
Conjunctive adverbs sometimes look and act like regular
adverbs, making them hard to identify.
Conjunctive adverbs also add information that shows addition,
comparison, contrast, emphasis, illustration, time, or summary.
 IS H P R O F IC IE N C Y # 1 5 2
ENGL

P O SIT IO N O F
AD V E R B
Hungrynomadph
 Position of adverbs
The general rule with adverbs is to place the adverb as close as possible
to the word being modified.

There are three basic positions to place adverb in a sentence as follows.

The front position: before the subject of the sentence.

Unfortunately, we could not see Mount Guiting-Guiting.
The mid position:
When we first heard this story, frankly, we couldn’t believe it.
The end position: at the end of the sentence.
I wanted to stay in bed; I went to the park instead.
Position Of Adverbs
The Position Of Adverbs Depends On Their Type. Some Adverbs
Can Go In Various Positions.
1. Adverb at the beginning of a sentence - at the
beginning of a clause or a sentence is referred to as 'initial
position'.

Connecting Connecting Adverbs

Adverbs 1. Life is hard. However, life can be fun.
However, 2. The market is very difficult these days.
Consequently, Consequently, we need to focus on what works
Then, best for our customers.
Next, 3. My friend Mark doesn't enjoy school. Still, he's
Still, working hard at getting good grades.
Position Of Adverbs
The Position Of Adverbs Depends On Their Type. Some Adverbs
Can Go In Various Positions.
1. Adverb at the beginning of a sentence - at the
beginning of a clause or a sentence is referred to as 'initial
position'.

Adverbs of Time Adverbs of Time

always, 1. Tomorrow, Peter is going to visit his mother in
never, Chicago.
always, 2. Sundays I like playing golf with my friends.
often, 3. Sometimes Jennifer enjoys a relaxing day at the
rarely, beach.
sometimes
Position Of Adverbs
The Position Of Adverbs Depends On Their Type. Some Adverbs
Can Go In Various Positions.
2. Adverbs in the middle
- at the beginning of a clause or a sentence is referred to
as 'initial position'.

Focusing adverbs Focusing adverbs

ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY 1. You are always late.
ADVERBS OF CERTAINTY 2. I will probably be absent at the party.
ADVERBS OF 3. He acted responsibly by informing the
JUDGEMENT/COMMENT authorities about the wallet he had found.
Position Of Adverbs
The Position Of Adverbs Depends On Their Type. Some Adverbs
Can Go In Various Positions.

3. Adverb at the end of a sentence - This is the most common

position of adverbs in sentences.

ADVERBS OF MANNER She opened the envelope carefully.

ADVERBS OF TIME Angie likes relaxing at home on weekends.
ADVERB OF PLACE Barbara is cooking pasta downstairs
ACTIVITY
Rewrite the complete sentence using the
adverb in brackets in its usual position.

EXAMPLE: I play tennis. (on Mondays)

ANSWER: I play tennis on Mondays.

My uncle is moving to Stockholm soon. (definitely)

Rewrite the complete sentence using the
adverb in brackets in its usual position.

EXAMPLE: I play tennis. (on Mondays)

ANSWER: I play tennis on Mondays.

My uncle is moving to Stockholm soon. (definitely)

My uncle is definitely moving to Stockholm soon.

Rewrite the complete sentence using the
adverb in brackets in its usual position.

The children play football. (in the garden)

ANSWER:

Mary watches TV. (hardly) (ever)

Rewrite the complete sentence using the
adverb in brackets in its usual position.

The children play football. (in the garden)

The children play football in the garden.

Mary watches TV. (hardly) (ever)

Rewrite the complete sentence using the
adverb in brackets in its usual position.

The children play football. (in the garden)

The children play football in the garden.

Mary watches TV. (hardly) (ever)

Mary hardly ever watches TV.

SUMMARY
Thank you for
participating!
Have a great day ahead.