Conjunct

In linguistics, a conjunct has two distinct forms:

A conjunct can be a conjunctive adverb; an adverb that adds informational content that is not considered propositional (or at least essential) from a subsequent sentence in a discourse to a previous sentence, linking them together. For example:
- It was raining. Therefore, we didn’t go swimming.
- It was sunny. However, we stayed inside.
- You are such a dork. Still, I love you from the bottom of my heart.
A conjunct can also be a conjoin; a word, phrase, or clause that is conjoined using coordination to form coordinate structures by means of a coordinating conjunction, which can be coordinating, subordinating or correlative. For example:
- [Gretchen and her daughter] bought [motor oil, spark plugs, and dynamite].
- Take two of these and call me in the morning.

Semantic functions

Conjunctive adverbs

English conjunctive adverbs often have the following functions:

Listing (indicating that what follows is a list of propositions):

To begin with, I have to tell you that I'm most displeased with your performance in the show. I also think you did a bad job painting the house. You're a lousy cook. You smell. Your hat is ... etc.

Enumerative (indicating items on a list of propositions):

First, we have to buy bread. Second, we need to take the car to the garage. Third, we have to call your dentist and make an appointment.

Additive (indicating that the content of the sentence is in addition to the preceding one):

He has no money. In addition, he has no means of getting any.

Summative (summing up, or concluding, on the preceding sentence(s)):

A is B. A is C. To sum up, A is several things.

Appositive (rephrasing the preceding sentence):

Music is appreciated in France. In other words, the French love music.

Resultative/inferential (indicating that the content of the sentence is a result of the events expressed in the preceding sentence):

Miss Gold lost her job. She, therefore, had no money.

Antithetic (indicating that the content of the sentence is in contrast to the content of the preceding sentence):

It is said that water flows up hill. On the contrary, it flows downhill

Concessive (indicating that the content of the sentence "exists" despite the content in the preceding sentence):

It is very cold. I went for my morning walk, however.

Temporal (indicating temporal relation between the content of the sentence and the preceding sentence):

I had lunch. Meanwhile, my wife had her hair cut.

Conjoins

References

↑ Nordquist, Richard. "The Definition of 'Conjunct' in Grammar". ThoughtCo. Retrieved 17 October 2026.

[1] Nordquist, Richard. "The Definition of 'Conjunct' in Grammar". ThoughtCo. Retrieved 17 October 2026.

Conjunct

Semantic functions

Conjunctive adverbs

Conjoins

See also

References