When reading essays, I have noticed a trend in people using conjunctive adverbs as if they were conjunctions. I do not understand the reason for this, but the problem seems to be growing.

Conjunctions are words used for linking words, phrases, and clauses. There is a very simple method for memorizing the most common. Just remember the term “FANBOYS.” Each letter stands for a coordinating conjunction.

Here they are: F(for), A(and), N(nor), B(but), O(or), Y(yet), S(so).

The key rule to remember is that if you are using one of these to join two complete sentences, then you must place a comma before it.

The lady in the red car just ran the stop sign, so the police officer is now giving her a citation.

The problem I am seeing is that some writers would mistakenly insert a conjunctive adverb here.

The lady in the red car just ran the stop sign, therefore, the police officer is now giving her a citation.

Here the conjunctive adverb is “therefore” and all the writer has managed to do is create a comma splice. (Comma splices are when two complete sentences are joined by a comma.)

Common conjunctive adverbs (not all) include the following: furthermore, likewise, however, nevertheless, accordingly, instead, indeed, in fact, and meanwhile.

If any of these are used to join two complete sentences, then the writer must either insert a period and capitalize the adverb or insert a semicolon before it.

The lady in the red car just ran the stop sign. Therefore, the police officer is now giving her a citation.

The lady in the red car just ran the stop sign; therefore, the police officer is now giving her a citation.

There is more to come on conjunctive adverbs and their use. Also, I’ll address comma splices and the four methods to correct them.

I want to thank DailyWritingTips and their posting concerning adverbs for reminding me of this. Visit Daniel’s site for more great advice on writing skills.