Besides coordinating conjunctions, “Conjunctive adverbs” plays the same role to connect two ideas or independent sentences. They act as bridge between two interrelated statements but not clauses. Contrast, comparison, results, addition, conditions, emphasis, are the examples of conjunctive adverbs we use
List of Conjunctive or connecting adverbs
1.Conjunctive adverbs of time
2.Conjunctive adverbs of cause or effect
3.Conjunctive adverbs of Sequence
4.Conjunctive adverbs for emphasis
5.Conjunctive adverbs for summarise
6.Conjunctive adverbs for addition
7.Conjunctive adverbs for results
8.Conjunctive adverbs for illustration
9.Conjunctive adverbs for comparison
In other words, conjunctive adverbs are also known as connecting adverbs. As they connect two separate sentences by placing comma after.
Grammatically, if we connect two separate sentences by placing conjunctive adverbs, it is essential that both sentences should be related to each other. So that meaning is matched between them.
Meaning of Conjunctive or Connecting adverbs
As per Oxford English Dictionary, Conjunctive means to connect or join two things together in orderly manner. Herein, these adverbs act as connecting rode between two independent simple sentences.
Conjunctive adverbs are certain types of adverbs with connecting properties.
Like similarly, likewise, on the other hand, conversely, however, nonetheless are some frequently used examples of Connecting or conjunctive adverbs.
As they have linking or connecting properties. Therefore, they are known as linking adverbs as well.
“At Diwali festival, people burn costly crackers. On the other hand, in India millions are suffering due to malnutrition and starvation as per WHO reports”.
In the above example, “On the other hand” conjunctive adverb is placed between two independent but relating sentences.
Conjuctives Connect two independent clauses or sentences.
First, semicolon is used to separate conjunctive adverb between two clauses if it plays role of conjunction.
Or, period is placed before and comma after the conjunctive adverbs, in case of two separate sentences.
As per the sentence formation, conjunctive adverbs are used to form compound and mixed sentences. Hereafter, let’s begin understanding conjunctive adverbs one by one.
Examples of Conjunctive adverbs in terms of sub types
On the basis of hidden meaning and usages of these adverbs, they have been classified in the following categories.
I.Conjunctive adverbs of time sequence
In order to express the time sequence between two ideas or things, Conjunctive adverbs of time we use.
- Finally, First,
- Henceforth, Meanwhile,
- Next, Now,
- Then, Thereafter,
- Meantime,
- Afterwards,
- Here onwards,
- Hereafter,
- Nowonwards,
II.Conjunctive adverbs of Cause and effect
Simply put, when conjunctive adverbs play the role to connect two separate ideas or sentences with cause effect relations.
- Accordingly,
- As a result,
- Consequently,
- Hence,
- Therefore,
- Thus,
III.Conjunctive adverbs for contrast
Conjunctive adverbs for contrast connect two ideas with contrasting viewpoints.
- Anyway,
- Rather,
- Regardless,
- On the Contrarily
- On the other hand,
- However,
- Nevertheless,
- Notwithstanding,
- Nonetheless,
- Yet, still,
- Whereas,
- Instead, in contrast,
- Conversely, while, else, etc.
“He was so ill. Nevertheless, he appeared on time”.
IV.Conjunctive adverbs of comparison
If you compare two statements either by placing period or semicolon between two sentences or clauses, conjunctive adverbs of comparison plays there vital role as connectors.
Such adverbs show the general comparison between qualities, characteristics, nature, or amount of two things.
- Comparatively,
- In comparison,
- likewise,
- Similarly,
- Usually,
- Alternatively,
- Equally
Rohan passed his exam by reading NCERT textbooks. Similarly, his brother, Ashok too, started reading same NCERT textbooks thereafter.
V.Conjunctive adverbs of result
As a matter of fact that conjunctive adverbs of results have two types. One shows expected results while other unexpected.
In expected results, conclusion preciously follows the claim stated earlier in main clause. It is like argument.
- Accordingly,
- As a result,
- Therefore,
- Hence,
- Thus,
- Consequently,
- In conclusion.
“In recent times, she gained weight. As a result, she lost most of the movies”.
“Jenny was poor in Russian language. Thus, she hardly enjoyed the movie”.
VI.Conjunctive adverbs for adding information
Though not like alternative conjunctions but in similar manner, certain conjunctive adverbs are used to add extra similar information to earlier stated clauses or sentences.
- Additionally,
- Also,
- Besides,
- First/second/third..
- Further,
- Furthermore,
- In addition,
- Incidently,
- Moreover,
- Most importantly,
VII.Conjunctive adverbs for condition
Generally, conditional sentences are formed by subordinating conjunctions or adverbial of condition.
- If,
- On condition that,
- Provided that
- Otherwise,
- Else, or.
- Supposingly,
- In case.
“Follow the schedule regularly. Otherwise, you may get negative result”.
“She should reach on time. Else, she would lose her seat”.
VIII.Conjunctive adverbs of emphasis
In order to put more emphasis on the second sentence on the basis of earlier condition, Conjuctive adverbs for emphasis are used.
- In deed,
- In fact,
- Of course,
- Definitely,
- Surely,
- Undoubtedly,
- Obviously,
- Unequivocally.
IX.Conjunctive adverbs for summarise
In order to express the given information in the concise manner, Conjunctive adverbs for summarise are used. Take a look at the following list.
- In other words,
- In conclusion,
- To conclude,
- In sum,
- In summary,
- Briefly,
- Merely,
- Quickly,
- Simply,
- In simple terms,
- In short,
X. Conjunctive adverbs for Illustration
To make given analysis more emphatic and vivid by presenting more examples, Conjuctive adverbs for Illustration are placed. Here are some examples:
- For example,
- For instance,
- Namely,
- Typically,
- Representatively,
- Such as,
- As like.
Short summary of conjunctive adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs play role in connecting two separate ideas, sentences, statements, or clauses.
Such adverbs can be used at the beginning, in middle or at the end of the sentence.
Grammatically, punctuation marks are placed before adverbs or later depending on the nature of statements.
If we are connecting two separate sentences, period is used. But, in case of clauses, semicolon is enough.
Contrast, comparison, results, addition, conditions, emphasis are some of the examples of conjunctive adverbs we use frequently.
Compound and mixed sentences are formed by using conjunctive adverbs.
Solved questions on understanding conjunctive adverbs
As regular exercise, here, I’m going to provide a set of solved questions on understanding conjunctive adverbs topic. Please, go through these questions.
Q. 1. Why conjunctive adverbs are so important?
Ans: In english, conjunctive adverbs play vital role like conjunctions. They connect two separate sentences or clauses either by placing period or semicolon before. They form compound and mixed sentences.
Q. 2. What are the examples of conjunctive adverbs
Ans: Contrast, comparison, results, addition, conditions, and emphasis are the major types and examples of the conjunctive adverbs.
Q. 3. What are the examples of conjunctive adverbs of contrast?
Ans: However, nevertheless, whereas, but, on the other hand, instead, in contrast, conversely, contrarily, while, nonetheless, are the examples of conjunctive adverbs of contrast.
Q. 4. Differentiate between conjunctive adverbs of results and addition?
Ans:. There are two types of conjunctive adverbs of results. One is expected results and other is unexpected.
Therefore, hence, thus, consequently, as a result, are the examples of expected results. While, all the conjunctive adverbs of contrast are used as adverbs of unexpected results.
For addition, information of equal value or stronger value is added to the main clause or earlier statement.
In addition, besides, also, are examples of addition with equal value. Whereas, furthermore and moreover are examples of stronger value addition.
Q. 5 What are the types of condition and emphasis?
Ans: Otherwise and else are the examples of conjunctive adverbs of condition. While, in fact and in deed are examples of emphasis.
This is a general overview of types, usages and examples of conjunctive adverbs. Use all the information to improve your knowledge about English language.
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