Their independence is what determines that they are adverbs and not conjunctions. A conjunction requires two clauses an adverb can sit with john.
John dates Mary although she is leaving town. Subordinate conjunction
John likes Mary but she is leaving town. Coordinate conjunction
John likes Mary. However, she is leaving town. Conjunctive adverb
This is not just a punctuation convention but a recognition of the fundamental difference between an adverb that carries this sort of meaning (consequence, negative consequenec, conjunction, etc) and the conjunctions that do.
Phil Bralich
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Adams <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sep 10, 2006 2:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Conjunctive Adverbs
Everyone seems to agree, even Martha Kolln and the Cambridge Grammar, that conjunctive adverbs are, indeed, conjunctions. I still don't see why they are not just considered adverbs. Does anyone see it my way?
Peter Adams
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