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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.
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