The idea that conjunctive adverbs aren’t really conjunctions is partly based on the way they’re punctuated – and the way they’re punctuated is based on the idea that they aren’t conjunctions.  The difference is much less apparent in speech -- if there were such a thing as an illiterate grammarian, s/he might not arrive at the same categories. However, since students are most definitely expected to learn the punctuation patterns, I tend to approach the distinctions much the same way Phil does – with each of the categories tied to “punctuation frames.” Once that’s done, common structures in speech that are considered errors in prose – e.g. the use of ‘although’ as if it’s identical to ‘however’ – can be discussed rather easily. The frames can also be indexed to style, to deal with journalistic “sentence-initial ‘And’” and the like.

 

In terms of sequencing, I think it is important to consider this primarily as a punctuation issue. Particular shibboleths, such as the “although/however” issue, might be discussed separately and earlier if needed.  

 

Bill Spruiell

 

Dept. of English

Central Michigan University.