Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that function as conjunctions or connectors. They hook up or link two independent clauses. When a conjunctive adverb is used to connect two main ideas, a period or a semicolon (;) is used. A comma usually follows after the conjunctive adverb.

Examples:

1. Hunting and military chants are characterized by danger, pride, and glory. Moreover, both chants convey the warriors’ and hunters’ harsh struggle for existence.
2. Hunting and military chants are characterized by danger, pride, and glory; moreover, both chants convey the warriors’ and hunters’ harsh struggle for existence.

A conjunctive adverb also introduces, interrupts, or concludes an independent clause. In this situation, a comma is used to separate the conjunctive adverb from the rest of the sentence.

Examples:

1. Work songs stand out from others in their directly functional relationship to the activity they accompany. Hence, they appear as a separate art form for sophisticated audiences.
2. In distinguishing between what is literature and nonliterature in oral cultures, one has to remember, however, that the distinction is only a matter of idea and quality.
3. Among the Limba people of northern Sierra Leone, the killing of a bush cow is regarded as the occasion for a special celebration, but this never takes place on the actual occasion of the hunt. Instead, a special date is fixed, several days later.

The following chart shows a list of common conjunctive adverbs.

accordingly	further	instead	otherwise
additionally	furthermore	likewise	similarly
also	hence	meanwhile	still
anyway	henceforth	moreover	subsequently
besides	however	namely	then
certainly	in addition	nevertheless	thereafter
comparatively	in comparison	next	therefore
consequently	in contrast	nonetheless	thus
elsewhere	incidentally	now	undoubtedly
equally	indeed	rather	yet
finally	instead	otherwise