Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada
Symbole du gouvernement du Canada

Liens institutionnels

 

Avis important

L'outil Writing Tips a été archivé et ne sera plus mis à jour jusqu'à son retrait définitif.

Pour obtenir notre contenu le plus à jour, veuillez consulter Writing Tips Plus, un outil combinant le contenu des outils Writing Tips et The Canadian Style. N'oubliez pas de modifier vos favoris!

Rechercher dans Canada.ca
Pour commencer votre recherche, cliquez sur la première lettre du mot voulu dans l'alphabet ci-dessous.

conjunctive adverb

We think of adverbs as modifiers, but conjunctive adverbs are a special breed. Their function is not to modify, but to connect.

A conjunctive adverb is used to create a smooth connection between two sentences or independent clauses. The conjunctive adverb shows the logical relationship between one idea and the next and thus helps to provide coherence in a written text.

Relationships shown by conjunctive adverbs

Below are some of the most common conjunctive adverbs, grouped according to the relationships they show:

  • Addition: also, besides, furthermore, likewise, moreover, similarly
  • Contrast: however, instead, rather, still, yet
  • Emphasis: certainly, indeed, surely, truly
  • Result: accordingly, consequently, otherwise, therefore
  • Sequence: first, second, third; afterward, finally, lastly, later, next, then

For example, to connect two similar ideas, you can use a conjunctive adverb that shows addition:

  • Alain bought two tents. He also got sleeping bags and air mattresses.

To connect two opposite ideas, you can use a conjunctive adverb that shows contrast:

  • Debra was sure she had hidden her jewelry in a safe place. Still, thieves broke in and stole it during the night.

To show a cause-effect connection, you can use a conjunctive adverb showing result:

  • March was unusually warm; therefore, the snow was entirely gone by month’s end.

Punctuation with a conjunctive adverb

Depending on where you place the conjunctive adverb in the sentence, you can choose one of the following punctuation patterns.

At the beginning of a clause: period or semicolon before the adverb, comma after it.

  • My daughter’s ringette team won the game. Afterward, the girls celebrated with pizza and ice cream.
  • You’d better fill up the tank; otherwise, we might run out of gas.

In the middle of a clause: comma before and after the adverb.

  • The porch was beginning to sag. The paint, moreover, was flaking badly.

At the end of a clause: comma before the adverb, period after it.

  • Critics gave the film consistently poor reviews; movie-goers loved it, however.

Note: There are some exceptions to these punctuation rules. Commas are not always necessary when a conjunctive adverb is in the middle of a clause; let your ear guide you.

Omit commas if the adverb fits smoothly into the sentence:

  • It soon became too dark to go on. Jeff therefore beached the canoe and set up camp.

Use commas if the adverb interrupts the flow of the sentence:

  • Kaitlin was determined to get her licence. Every evening, therefore, she practised driving for hours.

A common punctuation error

The most common error that occurs with conjunctive adverbs is a punctuation error called a comma splice (a kind of run-on). This error occurs when the writer joins two sentences with a comma and a conjunctive adverb.

  • Run-on: The game was almost lost, however our team scored a goal.

Remember, a conjunctive adverb is not a conjunction. An adverb creates a weaker connection, and it must have a full stop (period or semicolon) before it when it is connecting two sentences.

  • Correct: The game was almost lost. However, our team scored a goal.
  • Correct: The game was almost lost; however, our team scored a goal.