An adverb that indicates the relationship in meaning between two independent clauses. Unlike a conventional adverb, which usually affects the meaning of only a single word or phrase, the meaning of a conjunctive adverb (or conjunct) affects the entire clause of which it is a part.
Common Conjunctive Adverbs:
accordingly
afterward
also
anyhow
anyway
as a result
at last
at the same time
besides
certainly
consequently
earlier
eventually
finally
for example
for instance
further
furthermore
hence
however
in addition
in any case
incidentally
indeed
in fact
in short
instead
in the meantime
later
likewise
meanwhile
moreover
namely
nevertheless
next
now
on the contrary
on the other hand
otherwise
perhaps
similarly
so
still
subsequently
that is
then
therefore
thus
Etymology:
From the Latin, "join together"Examples and Observations:
- "Always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't go to yours."
(Yogi Berra) - "Nothing can be unconditional; consequently nothing can be free."
(George Bernard Shaw) - "Learning is about more than simply acquiring new knowledge and insights; it is also crucial to unlearn old knowledge that has outlived its relevance. Thus, forgetting is probably at least as important as learning."
(Gary Ryan Blair) - "You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however."
(Richard Bach) - "If you are uncertain whether a connecting word is a conjunctive adverb, test by moving the connecting word to another place in the clause. Conjunctive adverbs can be moved; subordinating conjunctions (such as if and because) and coordinating conjunctions (but, or, yet, for, and, nor, so) cannot."
(Stephen Reid, The Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers, 2003)
