What Are Conjunctive Adverbs?

In English grammar, conjunctive adverbs are words that connect two independent clauses by showing their relationship. Read the following sentences:

Original sentences: Bridget wants to take part in the next Olympics. She trains every day.
Since these sentences contain two equal and related ideas, they may be joined using a conjunctive adverb. Now, read the revised sentence:

Revised sentence: Bridget wants to take part in the next Olympics; therefore, she trains every day.
The revised sentence explains the relationship between Bridget’s desire to take part in the next Olympics and her daily training. Notice that the conjunctive adverb comes after a semicolon that separates the two clauses and is followed by a comma.

Review the following chart of some common conjunctive adverbs with examples of how they are used:

Function	Conjunctive Adverb	Example Sentence
Addition	also, furthermore, moreover, additionally	Recycling aluminium cans is beneficial to the environment; furthermore, there are financial incentives.
Comparison	similarly, likewise	Recycling aluminium cans is beneficial to the environment; likewise, reusing plastic bags can reduce waste.
Contrast	however, in contrast, on the other hand	Recycling aluminium cans is beneficial to the environment; however, many people dispose of them in the trash.
Emphasis	namely, certainly, indeed	Recycling aluminium cans is beneficial to the environment; namely, it saves energy needed to produce new aluminium.
Effect	therefore, consequently, as a result, thus	Recycling aluminium cans is beneficial to the environment; therefore, I don’t feel guilty when I drink canned beverages.
Time	finally, next, subsequently, then	Recycling aluminium cans is beneficial to the environment; subsequently, landfills have fewer items.