Conjunctive Adverbs - 4

Showing Added Information

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.

Conjunctive Adverbs - 3

Conjunctive adverbs (or sentence connectors or transitional words) join sentences, not parts of sentences. In choosing a conjunctive adverb to use in connecting sentences, the relationship between the sentences that are to be connected is very important.

When what happens in one sentence is a contrast to what happened in the preceding sentence, only a few conjunctive adverbs can be used. The most common ones for this

situation are however, in contrast, and on the other hand, but they are not used in exactly the same way:

1. Direct Contrasts (Opposite Situations)

When two sentences show opposite situations, however, in contrast, and on the other hand may all be used:

Sandra is wonderful at algebra; however, her cousin

is terrible at it.

Sandra is wonderful at algebra; in contrast, her cousin

is terrible at it.

Sandra is wonderful at algebra; on the other hand,

her cousin is terrible at it.

2. Weak Contrasts

When two sentences show weak contrasts (for example, when one sentence is affirmative and the other is negative, or when the sentences show ideas that contrast but are not opposite), however can be used, but in contrast and

on the other hand can't:

Sandra is wonderful at algebra; however, it's not her favorite subject in school.

I'd like to buy a new phone; however, I can't afford one right now.

Robert really wanted to stay in bed; however, he got up and went to work.

Samantha would like to buy a new BMW; however, she can only afford a Ford.

Special Note:

Sentences such as those above may also be combined in other ways, but with different punctuation (commas,not semicolons):

Sandra is wonderful at algebra, but it's not her favorite subject in school.

Sandra is wonderful at algebra, yet it's not her favorite subject in school.

While Sandra is wonderful at algebra, it's not her favorite subject in school.

Although Sandra is wonderful at algebra, it's not her favorite subject in school.

Though Sandra is wonderful at algebra, it's not her favorite subject in school.

Even though Sandra is wonderful at algebra, it's not her favorite subject in school.

Conjunctive Adverbs - 1

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. Conjunctive adverbs also have special punctuation: with them, a semicolon or a period is used after the first sentence, and a comma is usually used after the conjunctive adverb. After the comma, the connected sentence follows. Following are some common conjunctive adverbs, plus general comments on their usage: CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB accordingly as a result consequently therefore however in contrast on the other hand in addition also besides similarly furthermore moreover nevertheless nonetheless still otherwise USAGE showing results showing results showing results showing results showing general contrasts showing direct contrasts showing direct contrasts showing additional information showing additional information showing additional information showing additional information adding stronger information adding stronger information showing unexpected results showing unexpected results showing unexpected results if not Special Note: Conjunctive adverbs are challenging to use appropriately because they have special requirements for the kinds of ideas and information that they connect. There will be further information on conjunctive adverbs in the next several Hints of the Day.