Semicolons with Conjunctive Adverbs

Use a semicolon with a conjuctive adverb to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.

To vary the construction of the compound sentence, a semicolon can replace the comma and coordinating conjunction; moreover, an additional variation can be created by using a conjunctive adverb at the beginning of the next independent clause as a transitional word. Examples of conjunctive adverbs are words like besides, accordingly, moreover, nevertheless, furthermore, otherwise, therefore, however, consequently, thus, hence, and instead.

Here are three examples of the effective use of semicolons with conjunctive adverbs to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence:

I decided not to finish my essay instead, I went to the movie with my friends.

(Note that the conjunctive adverb after the semicolon is followed by a comma.)

Your still owe me five dollars furthermore, you promised to pay me a month ago.

Along with many of my fellow residents, I believe strongly that annexation should occur however, a surprising number are either firmly against it or simply are indifferent.

Daly, Irene. "To Annex, or Not to Annex--That is the Question." The Harper Anthology. Palatine, William Rainey Harper College, 1993. 26.

In each of the examples above, notice that the independent clauses separated by a semicolon have a very close thematic and grammatical relationship to one another. The independent clauses in the examples use parallel sentence structure and the repetition of key words to establish this close relationship.