Conjunctive Adverbs List and Their Meanings

Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that connect independent clauses together. They provide a relationship between the preceding sentence and the subsequent sentence. Common examples include “however,” “therefore,” “moreover,” “furthermore,” “otherwise,” and “consequently.”

For example:

• She was tired; however, she finished her work.
• I didn’t study for the test; consequently, I got a low score.

They often indicate cause and effect, contrast, sequence, or other relationships between the clauses they connect. Conjunctive adverbs can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a clause, but regardless of their position, they always serve to inform the reader or listener about the relationship between two independent clauses.

Conjunctive Adverb	Meaning
however	introduces a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously
therefore	for that reason; consequently
furthermore	in addition; besides
otherwise	in circumstances different from those present or considered; or else
moreover	and what’s more; besides
nonetheless	in spite of that; nevertheless
similarly	in a similar way
thus	as a result or consequence of something
hence	for this reason
indeed	used to emphasize a statement or response confirming something already suggested
conversely	introducing a statement or idea that reverses one that has just been made or referred to
accordingly	as a result; therefore
also	in addition; too
meanwhile	at the same time
then	introduces the next item in a sequence
afterward(s)	at a later or future time; subsequently
next	introduces the next item in a sequence
besides	in addition; also
still	even so; nevertheless
instead	as an alternative or substitute
likewise	in the same way; also
specifically	for a particular reason, purpose, etc.
namely	that is to say; specifically
equally	to the same degree (often used to introduce a contrasting or opposing argument)
as a result	because of something
additionally	in addition; furthermore
in contrast	highlights the difference between two items
certainly	used to emphasize the speaker’s belief that what is said is true
in fact	used to emphasize the truth of an assertion
for example	used to introduce an illustrative example
for instance	used to introduce an illustrative example
in other words	expressing the same thing in a different way
on the other hand	introduces a contrasting point
in particular	especially
again	another time; once more
in turn	one after the other; respectively
incidentally	by the way
notably	especially; in particular
finally	after a long time, typically involving difficulty or delay
in addition	used to add extra information after a list or to introduce a new idea related to the main point
comparatively	in comparison with something else
as if	as though
alternatively	another possibility
comparatively	to a moderate degree as compared to something else
rather	to a certain or significant extent or degree
eventually	in the end, especially after a long delay, dispute, or series of problems
that is	used to clarify or explain something
now	introduces a new point
by comparison	drawing attention to a difference between two situations, amounts, or amounts
in the meantime	during the time before something happens
in summary	as a brief statement of the most important information
all in all	considering everything
in short	briefly; in summary
to clarify	to make clear or easier to understand
for this/that reason	because of this/that
in any event	whatever happens; in any case
to illustrate	to provide examples that explain or make something clear
on the contrary	used to intensify a denial of what has just been implied or stated by suggesting that the opposite is the case
in conclusion	used to introduce the final comments in speech, report, etc.
to sum up	to describe or express the most important facts about something
yet	but at the same time; but nevertheless
as a consequence	because of something
as an example	to illustrate or clarify
by the same token	in the same way and for the same reason
in spite of this	despite what has just been said
by and large	in general; for the most part
earlier	at or near the beginning of a period of time or a process, event, etc.
in simpler terms	in a clearer manner; without jargon or complexity
in either case	regardless of which of the two given options occur
later	at some time in the future
lastly	in the last place; finally
naturally	as a natural result
now and then	occasionally; from time to time
of course	used to introduce a statement that is very obvious or already known
on balance	when everything is considered
to be sure	certainly; without doubt
in reality	when everything is considered; in fact
in essence	fundamentally; in its most basic nature