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Informal Formal transition
transition
Add And, besides, also In addition, additionally, moreover, furthermore
Compare In comparison, similarly
Contrast But, yet In contrast, conversely, however, nevertheless, on the one hand/on the
other hand
Provide an Or Alternatively, on the one hand/on the other hand
alternative
Provide an example For example, for instance
Specify Especially In particular, more specifically
Emphasize In fact, indeed, in other words
Conclude So In sum, in summary, in conclusion, thus, therefore, consequently, taken
together
Types of Conjunctive Adverbs
A conjunctive adverb modifies the action by creating logical connections in meaning between
independent clauses. Unlike conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs are not always at the
beginning of the clause.
1. Of addition
Examples:
o also, besides, furthermore, moreover, etc.
o The condo complex has tennis courts; besides this, it has an indoor pool.
o He must have got stopped at the border crossing; otherwise, he would have
arrived by now.
o The lecturer had a monotonous voice; furthermore, he jumped from one idea to
another so that the lecture was very difficult to follow.
2. Of contrast
Examples:
o however, still, nevertheless, conversely, nonetheless, instead, etc.
o The printers are on strike; registered students will, nevertheless, receive course
packages on time.
o We were able to run only four courses; still, this compares favourably with other
summer programmes.
o It's really cold today; we can't complain, however, as it's been mild overall.
3. Of comparison
Examples:
o similarly, likewise
o Paul went to Lakeland college; his daughter, likewise, did her studies there.
o Kate is engrossed in her dogs; Martha is similarly obsessed with her horses.
4. Of result
Examples:
o therefore, hence, thus, consequently, etc.
o He rarely produced a day's work; he consequently lost his job.
o Caffeine is a stimulant; thus, it can keep a person awake at night.
o We discovered Ida's activities were duplicating those of Marla; we, therefore,
assigned Ida other tasks.
5. Of time
Examples:
o next, then, meanwhile, finally, subsequently, etc.
o The chairman will be late for the meeting; meanwhile, we're to hand out minutes
of the last meeting to the board members.
o The network has crashed; next, the power will go off.
o First boil the water; then, pour it over the tea bag.
Types of Conjunctions
A conjunction is used to join words or groups of words.
1. Coordinating conjunctions
o join grammatically equivalent sentence elements
Examples:
o and, for, or, yet, but, nor, so
o Edmonton and Calgary are the two largest cities in Alberta. (And joins two
nouns.)
o Look in the cupboard or in the drawer. (Or joins two phrases.)
o You can't do that kind of heavy work, nor should you be expected to. (Nor joins
two clauses.)
2. Correlative conjunctions
o pairs of words that join words, phrases, and clauses of equivalent grammatical
structure
Examples:
o both . . . and
either . . . or
neither . . . nor
not . . . but
not only . . . but (also)
whether . . . or
o Both Susan and Bill received their ten-year pin this year.
o Either you get a job or you go back to school.
o Whether you stay or leave is entirely your decision.
3. Subordinating conjunctions
These join clauses that are not equivalent grammatical structures. Subordinating
conjunctions introduce dependent clauses. These clauses cannot stand by themselves
but must be joined to a main or independent clause.
The following is a list of words most often used as subordinating conjunctions:
after even though than wherever
although if that whether
as in order that though which
as if in order to unless while
as though rather than until who
because since when
before so as to whenever
even if so that where
4. Examples:
o In order to make feasible projections, we need to have reliable data.
o He's taller than you are.
o He looks as if he were about to cry.
