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Conjunctive adverbs (which are sometimes also called
sentence connectors or transitional words) are commonly
used in serious business, technical, and academic writing.
Conjunctive adverbs are.similar in meaning to other types
of connecting words such as and, but, or, etc., but they
have one very important difference: they join sentences,
not parts of sentences.
In choosing which conjunctive adverb(s) to use in connecting
sentences, the meanings of the sentences that will be joined
(or, more precisely, the relationship that exists between
them) is very important. When a second sentences adds
information to the sentence which precedes it, only a few
few conjunctive adverbs can be used.
1. When the added information is of approximately equal
"strength," use in addition or also:
Fred cleaned out the garage. In addition, /
Also, he mowed the yard.
Fred cleaned out the garage; in addition, /
also, he mowed the yard.
Susan is working full-time. In addition, / Also,
she's taking college classes.
Susan is working full-time; in addition, / also,
she's taking college classes.
2. When the added information is stronger than the
information preceding it, use moreover or furthermore:
Fred cleaned out the garage. Moreover, /
Furthermore, he made it look better than
it has for years.
Fred cleaned out the garage; moreover, /
furthermore, he made it look better than
it has for years.
Susan has a demanding job. Moreover, /
Furthermore, she's taking two difficult
college classes.
Susan has a demanding job; moreover, /
furthermore, she's taking two difficult
college classes.
3. Use besides if the information in both sentences
involves reasons or explanations:
Fred was happy to clean out the garage.
Besides, he had no other important things
to do.
Fred was happy to clean out the garage;
besides, he had no other important things
to do.
Susan works hard because she's ambitious.
Besides, she's never satisfied if she hasn't
done her best.
Susan works hard because she's ambitious;
besides, she's never satisfied if she hasn't
done her best.
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