However, in Addition to Moreover, Furthermore is Overused: Linking Sentences and Clauses

In the 9th May radio programme, [chatting penting], [Adnan] asked a question regarding the use of words such as furthermore, moreover, and additionally. These words, known as conjunctive adverbs, link sentences, and serve only to inform readers of the fact that two sentences or clauses are related. As such, their purpose in English is limited, and only rarely do they add anything of substance to a sentence. Because many people use them too often, however, a common result is sentences that are cluttered, boring, and even confusing and unreadable. Specifically, [Adnan] wanted to know when it was most appropriate to use conjunctive adverbs, how to avoid using the same ones repetitively, and how to keep two sentences or clauses related without using them. This article is a guide on how to do so.

How conjunctive adverbs are used

If you are using a conjunctive adverb to mark the beginning of a clause it must follow either a period (.) or semicolon (;). They can be found in the beginning, middle, or end of a clause. When they appear in the beginning of the clause, they are followed by a comma; if they are at the end, they are preceded by a comma. However, the cat was asleep. The cat was asleep, however.

The two above examples are functionally similar. Most of the time, you will be fine placing the conjunctive adverb in the beginning or end of the clause or sentence simply for variation.

Types of conjunctive adverbs

You can find a comprehensive list of the different types of conjunctive adverbs, along with examples of them, here (http://notthatalex.blogspot.com/2013/05/types-and-examples-ofconjunctive.html). This link is referred to as Table 1. Table 2 shows the different ways of using the different types. Even though every sentence uses the same wordscold, snow, parka, or shortsthe context is changed by the conjunctive adverb.

Table 2. Sentence examples of different conjunctive adverb types. No. Type Usage 1 Addition to the previous clause Today was cold. Moreover, it snowed. 2 Comparing to a point in the previous Today was cold. Similarly, yesterday was cold. clause 3 Conceding a point made in the previous Today was cold. Of course, it is winter. clause 4 Concluding based on a point made in the Today was cold. Therefore, I wore my parka. previous clause 5 Contrasting a point made in the previous Today was cold. And yet, everyone wore clause shorts. 6 Emphasising a point made in the previous Today was cold. In fact, it snowed. clause 7 Example of a point in the previous clause Today was cold. After all, it snowed. 8 Summarising the previous clause Today was cold. In summary, it snowed and I wore my parka. 9 Space shift between the previous and Today was cold. Elsewhere, it was warm. present clause 10 Time shift between the previous and Today was cold. Lately, it has been snowing. present clause This is one way in which using a conjunctive adverb is beneficial to a sentence, as it gives it meaning. If we remove similarly from the second example, we have, Today was cold. Yesterday was cold. While this still makes sense, the idea that you are comparing days is not very strong. The same is true of the third and fourth examples; saying it is winter is a plain sentence instead of a concession, while saying I wore a parka is similarly just stating a fact instead of concluding that, based on it being cold, I wore my parka. In the fifth example, removing and yet removes the meaning of the sentence; and the same is true for the ninth example, where elsewhere helps us understand that it is a reference to a different location, instead of if being a contradictory statement. However, in some examples, the conjunctive adverb is not necessarily needed. Today was cold. It snowed, is fine. You can get away with removing the conjunctive adverb, because we can assume that the reader will see the connection between today being cold and it snowing. But notice how the conjunctive adverb slightly changes the meaning of the two sentences, allowing us to specify how the reader should read the true meaning of what is being said, whether it is adding extra information (1), emphasising that it is cold (6), or providing proof of it being cold (7).

Appropriate conjunctive adverb usage

As with everything else in English, you should only use these words when you mean to. A paragraph with too many conjunctions is ugly and redundant. On the other hand, one with zero may seem random and without connection. The trick is to find the balance between the two. Three rules I follow to do this are:

Know what words I plan to use, and plan how I will be using them. Never use a certain conjunctive adverb (i.e. the same word) more than twice per page, and optimally once or not at all. Never use the same sentence construction (or syntax) consecutively. E.g. Furthermore, today was cold. However, everyone wore shorts. It is better to say, Furthermore, today was cold. Everyone wore shorts, however.

These rules force me to know how to use a word and be consistent with it, to use it sparingly, and to maintain variation in a paragraph, the latter of which is not hard (Table 3). You can expand the second rule to only having one or two conjunctive adverbs per paragraph, forcing yourself to write tighter sentences. Table 3. Variations of however. Variant However, our results differed from those of Smith (2000). Our results, however, differed from those of Smith (2000). Our results differed, however, from those of Smith (2000). Our results differed from those of Smith (2000), however. Table 4. Incorrect and correct conjunctive adverb usage. No. Incorrect 1 Moreover, today was cold. Furthermore, it snowed. 2 Today was cold, however everyone wore shorts. 3 Today was cold. Meanwhile, it was warm. 4 Today was cold. Conversely, everyone wore shorts. Correct Moreover, today was cold and it snowed. Today was cold; however, everyone wore shorts. Today was cold. Elsewhere, it was warm. Today was cold. However, everyone wore shorts.

Notes

Emphasis is on your results. Emphasis is in your results being different. This would come after sentence of your results being similar.

Table 4 shows bad conjunctive adverb usage. The following explain why each incorrect example is wrong: 1. Repetitive and redundant. 2. However is used as the beginning of the clause, but the comma means its just a pause, not end of the clause. A semicolon or period is appropriate.

3. Word meaning: meanwhile does not mean elsewhere, just because its the same type of conjunctive adverb. 4. Word meaning and context: conversely means opposite, so it is not merely a contrasting statement, but an opposing one. Everyone wearing shorts is not the opposite of it being cold.

Alternatives to conjunctive adverbs

The best alternative to a conjunctive adverb is no alternative at all. That is, if your sentence is strong enough, it will not need something to link it to the previous one, and while they are useful in many cases (as in the beginning of this sentence), you should always aim for variety. The easiest ways of avoiding a conjunctive adverb are to subtly reference the previous sentence with words such as these, this, or those (Table 5); combine the sentences, especially if they are short enough (Table 6); invert the sentence structure (Table 7); or use a variation of the conjunctive adverb (Table 8). Table 5. Using words to imply similarity. Example All of the cats slept throughout the day. This suggests that cats are lazy. All of the cats slept throughout the day. They are lazy. In addition to the cats laziness, we found them to be mischievous.

Notes This instead of therefore, hence, etc. They to reference the cats. In addition to serves as a reference, instead of reading In addition, we found the cats to be mischievous.

Table 6. Combining sentences instead of using a conjunctive adverb. Incorrect Correct Im going to cook mie goreng. However, I need to Im going to cook mie goreng, but need to boil water first. boil water first. Im going to cook mie goreng. Then, Im going to Im going to cook mie goreng, and then make a cup of tea. make a cup of tea. Im going to cook mie goreng. Meanwhile, I will Im going to cook mie goreng, while making make a cup of tea. a cup of tea. All of the cats slept throughout the day. All of the cats slept throughout the day, Therefore, cats are lazy. suggesting that cats are lazy. All of the cats slept throughout the day. In All of the cats slept throughout the day, conclusion, cats are lazy. leading us to the conclusion that cats are lazy. Today was cold. Therefore, I wore my parka. Today was cold, so I wore my parka. Table 7. Inverting sentence structure.

Incorrect All of the cats slept throughout the day. Therefore, cats are lazy. Im going to cook mie goreng. However, I need to boil water first.

Correct Cats are lazy, as all of the cats slept throughout the day. I need to boil water because Im going to cook mie goreng.

Table 8. Using a variation of the conjunctive adverb. Incorrect Correct Cats sleep all day. Consequently, they are The consequence of cats sleeping all day is perceived as lazy. that they are perceived as lazy. Firstly, boil water. The first step is boiling water. Overall, the result is that cats are perceived as The overall result is that cats are perceived lazy. as lazy. As always, do not overuse any of these examples. Use all of them in addition to conjunctive adverbs. Conjunctive adverbs are useful and sometimes critical to sentences. They can give meaning and context through the addition of one, simple word. However, they should only be used for those purposes, not just because you can. Write good, logical sentences, and only then decide if they need additional words. Most of the time, you will find that a strong sentence is good enough on its own.

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