Examples of Conjunctive Adverbs Used in Sentences

A. Coordinating Conjunctions

Location of a coordinating conjunction

1. Don't use a coordinating conjunction ( for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so ) at the beginning of a sentence. These conjunctions can be used to join two independent clauses, so they come in the middle of a sentence rather than the beginning.

Commas with coordinating conjunctions

2. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it is being used to join two independent clauses.

I wrote for ten hours , but I didn't finish my composition.

I wrote for ten hours , yet I didn't finish my composition.

I couldn't decide if I should continue writing , or if I should go to bed.

I was tired , so I went to bed.

I went to bed , for I was tired.

I continued thinking about my composition , and I couldn't fall asleep.

I didn't finish my composition , nor did I get any sleep.

3. The coordinating conjunctions and and or can be used to join two nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs . In these cases, don't use a comma before the conjunction.

I couldn't decide if I should continue writing or go to bed.

I felt nervous and worried .

I was thinking about my composition and other homework all night.

Check your understanding of coordinating conjunction use

B. Conjunctive Adverbs

Location of a conjunctive adverb in a sentence

1. A conjunctive adverb (e.g., however, nevertheless, therefore, moreover, likewise, furthermore, consequently, etc.) can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a single independent clause . The beginning or middle is preferred to the end position.

Commas with conjunctive adverbs

2. Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb when it starts a single independent clause.

I wrote for ten hours. However , I didn't finish my composition.

I wrote for ten hours. Nevertheless , I didn't finish my composition.

I was tired. Therefore , I went to bed.

I was tired. Consequently , I went to bed.

3a. Use commas around a conjunctive adverb when it comes between a subject and main verb in a single independent clause.

I wrote for ten hours. I didn't, however , finish my composition.

3b. Use a comma before a conjunctive adverb when it ends a single independent clause.

I wrote for ten hours. I didn't finish my composition , however .

Semi-colons with conjunctive adverbs

4. A conjunctive adverb can be used to join two independent clauses . In this case, a semi-colon is used instead of a period after the first independent clause.

I wrote for ten hours ; however , I didn't finish my composition.

I was tired ; consequently , I went to bed.

Check your understanding of conjunctive adverb use

C. Subordinating Conjunctions

Location of a subordinating conjunction in a sentence

1. A subordinating conjunction (because, although. until, if, when, while, before, after) is used to join an independent clause and a dependent clause . They can come at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle when they begin another clause.

Commas with subordinating conjunctions

2. When you begin the sentence with the subordinating conjunction and the dependent clause, use a comma after the dependent clause (before the second/independent clause).

Although I wrote for ten hours , I didn't finish my composition.

Because I was tired , I went to bed.

3. When you use the subordinating conjunction in the middle of the sentence and the dependent clause at the end, don't use a comma after the first (independent) clause.

I didn't finish my composition although I wrote for ten hours.

I went to bed because I was tired.

Check your understanding of subordinating conjunction use

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Examples of Conjunctive Adverbs Used in Sentences

Source: http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/stonebrink/ESL032/conjunction2/conjunction2.html