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Linking with conjunctions and adverbials

The difference​

Conjunctions (Conjunctions, sentences and clauses) make grammatical and meaning connections: they join clauses into sentences, and show the relationship between them. Some conjunctions:

and, but, or, so, before, after, when, as soon as, because, since, although, if, thatWhen a conjunction comes between two clauses in writing, there is normally either no punctuation (if the clauses are short) or a comma (,) before the conjunction if they are longer.

  • The Minister paused briefly before he started to speak.
  • The results were disappointing for the third year running, so it was decided to close three of the smaller branches.

Adverbials can make meaning connections, but they do not make grammatical connections: they do not join clauses into sentences. Some adverbials:

however, then, therefore, meanwhile, consequently, in fact, also, as a result, on the other hand, indeedWhen an adverbial comes between two clauses, there is normally either a full stop (.) or a semi-colon (;) before it in careful writing, because the clauses are still grammatically separate.

  • The Minister paused briefly; then he started to speak. (or The Minister paused briefly. Then he started to speak.)
  • The results were disappointing for the third year running; consequently, it was decided to close three of the smaller branches. (or The results were disappointing for the third year running. Consequently, it was decided to close three of the smaller branches.)

But and however​

But is a conjunction; however is an adverbial. Note the difference in punctuation before these words.

  • It was cold, but it was pleasant.
  • It was cold. However, it was pleasant. or It was cold; however, it was pleasant. (better than It was cold, however …)

Note that we also put a comma after however.

note

For more about but, however, although and though, (see here).

Position​

Conjunctions always begin clauses. Adverbials can often go in different places in a clause (but not between the verb and the object). If an adverbial interrupts the normal word order of a clause, it may be separated by two commas.

  • He confessed to 114 murders, but the police did not believe his story. (but not … the police but did not believe his story.)
  • He confessed to 114 murders; however, the police did not believe his story.
  • He confessed to 114 murders; the police, however, did not believe his story.
  • He confessed to 114 murders; the police did not, however, believe his story.
  • He confessed to 114 murders; the police did not believe his story, however. (but not … the police did not believe, however, his story.)

Adverbials expressing contrast often have commas after them.

  • They were becoming increasingly discouraged. However, they continued walking.
  • Income is satisfactory; on the other hand, expenditure has increased alarmingly.

Yet is not usually followed by a comma.

  • It was cold, yet it was pleasant. (not … yet, it was pleasant.)

One-clause sentences​

Sometimes a single clause with a conjunction is written as a separate sentence. Some people feel this is incorrect, but it is normal in question-and-answer sequences, or when a writer wishes to give extra emphasis to a clause.

  • Why are we in financial trouble? Because the banks lent money to the wrong people.
  • He was charming. But he was totally without a conscience.
note

For however as a conjunction (e.g. However we travel, we have to go through London), (see here).