Conjunctive Adverbs - 4

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Conjunctive adverbs (which are sometimes also called sentence connectors or transitional words) are commonly used in serious business, technical, and academic writing. Conjunctive adverbs are.similar in meaning to other types of connecting words such as and, but, or, etc., but they have one very important difference: they join sentences, not parts of sentences.

In choosing which conjunctive adverb(s) to use in connecting sentences, the meanings of the sentences that will be joined (or, more precisely, the relationship that exists between them) is very important. When a second sentences adds information to the sentence which precedes it, only a few few conjunctive adverbs can be used.

1. When the added information is of approximately equal "strength," use in addition or also:
John cleaned out the garage. In addition, / Also, he mowed the yard.
John cleaned out the garage; in addition, / also, he mowed the yard.
Mary is working full-time. In addition, / Also, she's taking college classes.
Mary is working full-time; in addition, / also, she's taking college classes.



2. When the added information is stronger than the information preceding it, use moreover or furthermore:
John cleaned out the garage. Moreover, / Furthermore, he made it look better than it has for years.
John cleaned out the garage; moreover, / furthermore, he made it look better than it has for years. 
Mary has a demanding job. Moreover, / Furthermore, she's taking two difficult classes.
Mary has a demanding job; moreover, / furthermore, she's taking two difficult classes.

3. Use besides if the information in both sentences involves reasons or explanations:
John was happy to clean out the garage. Besides, he had no other important work to do.
John was happy to clean out the garage; besides, he had no other important work  to do.
Mary works hard because she's ambitious. Besides, she's never satisfied if she hasn't done her best.
Mary works hard because she's ambitious; besides, she's never satisfied if she hasn't done her best.