Conjunctive Adverbs: Conjunctive Adverbs (#3)

Conjunctive adverbs (or sentence connectors or
transitional words) join sentences, not parts of sentences.
In choosing a conjunctive adverb to use in connecting
sentences, the relationship between the sentences that
are to be connected is very important.

When what happens in one sentence is a contrast to what
happened in the preceding sentence, only a few conjunctive
adverbs can be used. The most common ones for this
situation are however, in contrast, and on the other hand,
but they are not used in exactly the same way:

1. Direct Contrasts (Opposite Situations)

When two sentences show opposite situations, however,
in contrast, and on the other hand may all be used:

Jill is wonderful at math; however, her brother
is terrible at it.

Jill is wonderful at math; in contrast, her brother
is terrible at it.

Jill is wonderful at math; on the other hand,
her brother is terrible at it.

2. Weak Contrasts

When two sentences show weak contrasts (for example,
when one sentence is affirmative and the other is negative,
or when the sentences show ideas that contrast but are not
opposite), however can be used, but in contrast and
on the other hand can't:

Jill is wonderful at math; however, it's not
her favorite subject in school.

I'd like to buy a new computer; however,
I can't afford one right now.

Kent really wanted to stay in bed; however,
he got up and went to work.

Kathy would like to buy a Porsche; however,
she can only afford a Ford.

Special Note:

Sentences such as those above may also be combined in
other ways, but with different punctuation (commas,
not semicolons):

Jill is wonderful at math, but it's not
her favorite subject in school.

Jill is wonderful at math, yet it'snot
her favorite subject in school.

While Jill is wonderful at math, it's not
her favorite subject in school.

Although Jill is wonderful at math, it's not
her favorite subject in school.

Though Jill is wonderful at math, it's not
her favorite subject in school.

Even though Jill is wonderful at math, it's not
her favorite subject in school.