Both conjunctive adverb and subordinating conjunction links clauses. Both show wide variety of relationships between the clauses they link.
But the two are different in many ways.
Conjunctive adverbs, coordinating conjunctions, and subordinating conjunctions link clauses, and hence they’re often termed linkers. Learn the difference between other two pairs of linkers:
- Conjunctive adverb vs. coordinating conjunction
- Coordinating conjunction vs. subordinating conjunction
1. Conjunctive adverb links two independent clauses or sentences; subordinating conjunction joins a dependent clause to an independent clause.
A conjunctive adverb links two independent clauses or sentences, showing a relationship of contrast, addition, result, and more between the two:
The task was difficult; nonetheless, she completed it on time.
The weather forecast predicted rain; therefore, we brought our umbrellas.
A subordinating conjunction introduces an adverb clause and joins it to an independent clause. Examples:
After he finished his homework, he went out to play.
Although she was tired, she stayed up late to finish her work.
2. They’re punctuated differently.
When an adverb clause comes before the independent clause, a comma always separates the two:
After he finished his homework, he went out to play.
Although she was tired, she stayed up late to finish her work.
When an adverb clause comes after the independent clause, a comma is generally not used. A comma is used when the adverb clause expresses contrast or unexpectedness:
He went out to play after he finished his homework
She stayed up late to finish her work, although she was tired.
When a conjunctive adverb joins two independent clauses, the clauses are separated by a semicolon or period. Examples:
The task was difficult; nonetheless, she completed it on time.
The task was difficult. Nonetheless, she completed it on time.
The punctuation shows how closely the two ideas are linked. A comma in case of subordinating conjunction shows that the two ideas are closely linked. A semicolon or period in case of conjunctive adverb though shows a looser connection between the two ideas.
3. Conjunctive adverb is usually mobile in a clause; subordinating conjunction is not.
Subordinating conjunction can occur only at the beginning of a dependent clause. Conjunctive adverb can occur at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of an independent clause or sentence.
He forgot to set an alarm; consequently, he was late for the meeting.
He forgot to set an alarm; he was late for the meeting, consequently. [Correct]
The cake looked delicious, but it didn’t taste as good as expected.
The cake looked delicious; it didn’t taste as good as expected but. [Incorrect]
Flexibility in placing a conjunctive adverb can be used as a tool to change the focus (or stress) of a sentence. In the first sentence, for example meeting is stressed more than in the second. That’s because of principle of end focus: Word or phrase at the end of a clause or sentence is stressed more. Experienced writers thus move conjunctive adverbs to stress part of a sentence, something they can’t do with coordinating conjunctions.
4. Clause containing conjunctive adverb is sequentially locked; clause containing subordinating conjunction is not.
The independent clause containing conjunctive adverb always comes second. Example:
The weather forecast predicted rain; therefore, we brought our umbrellas.
Therefore, we brought our umbrellas; the weather forecast predicted rain. [Incorrect]
But for few exceptions, an adverb clause can occupy initial or end position. Example:
You will pass the exam if you study hard.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
5. They’re different parts of speech.
As the name suggests, conjunctive adverb is an adverb, and subordinating conjunction is a conjunction.
Being an adverb, conjunctive adverb is a clause element – adverbial. Remember, a clause can have up to five clause elements – Subject, Verb, Object, Complement, and Adverbial (SVOCA) – of which adverbial is usually optional.
A subordinating conjunction, on the other hand, is not a clause element: It can’t be subject, object, verb, complement, or adverbial.
