Transitions with conjunctive adverbs
Key notes :
Conjunctive adverbs are words that connect two sentences or independent clauses and show the relationship between them. Conjunctive adverbs can help readers understand how ideas within a piece of writing relate to one another.
For instance, conjunctive adverbs can
- show cause and effect (consequently, therefore, as a result, etc.),
- compare or contrast ideas (likewise, however, on the contrary, etc.),
- add information (moreover, in addition, furthermore, etc.), or
- introduce elaboration (incidentally, for example, in fact, etc.).
To use a conjunctive adverb, consider how the ideas in the text relate to one another and what relationships are suggested by different conjunctive adverbs.
An avid traveller, Sarah visits several foreign countries each year. Consequently, she has accumulated a large collection of souvenirs from around the world.
The conjunctive adverb consequently shows that Sarah’s travelling is the reason that she has collected so many souvenirs.
Learn with an example
➡️ Complete the text with the better conjunctive adverb.
Writer Zora Neale Hurston struggled to achieve success during her lifetime, and when she died in 1960, she was almost unknown. ____, author Alice Walker later rekindled interest in Hurston’s work, and now Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God is considered a classic.
- Furthermore
- However
However better connects the ideas in the text. This conjunctive adverb shows that Hurston’s lack of success during her lifetime contrasts with the fact that her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God is now considered a classic.
Writer Zora Neale Hurston struggled to achieve success during her lifetime, and when she died in 1960, she was almost unknown. However, author Alice Walker later rekindled interest in Hurston’s work, and now Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God is considered a classic.
➡️ Complete the text with the better conjunctive adverb.
Rafflesia arnoldii, also known as the corpse flower, is rather unpleasant: the flower smells like rotten meat to attract flies as pollinators. ____, the plant is a parasite that steals nutrients from neighbouring vines.
- Furthermore
- For example
Furthermore better connects the ideas in the text. This conjunctive adverb shows that Rafflesia arnoldii is unpleasant not only because it smells like rotten meat but also because it’s a parasite that steals nutrients from neighbouring vines.
Rafflesia arnoldii, also known as the corpse flower, is rather unpleasant: the flower smells like rotten meat to attract flies as pollinators. Furthermore, the plant is a parasite that steals nutrients from neighbouring vines.
➡️ Complete the text with the better conjunctive adverb.
When Dylan and Maria visited Scotland, Dylan went to the Cairngorms National Park. ____, Maria took a river-rafting trip and saw wild deer for the first time.
- Besides
- Meanwhile
Meanwhile better connects the ideas in the text. This conjunctive adverb shows that Dylan’s and Maria’s activities happened at the same time.
When Dylan and Maria visited Scotland, Dylan went to the Cairngorms National Park. Meanwhile, Maria took a river-rafting trip and saw wild deer for the first time.
let’s practice!
