What is the grammatical category of the following words called: perhaps, therefore, hence, nevertheless, etc.?
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Related: Is “on one hand, on the other hand” a cliche? – Mari-Lou A Jul 30 '18 at 11:05
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1@Mari-LouA No connection. – Jul 30 '18 at 11:08
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@NathanM. did you read the answers? And if you did, why is it not related? – Mari-Lou A Jul 30 '18 at 11:16
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@Mari-LouA I read the answers and found nothing having to do with conjunctive adverbs... – Jul 30 '18 at 11:17
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@NathanM. … linking words, connectors, and formal discourse markers. *They will help connect sentences* and give them greater coherence.… – Mari-Lou A Jul 30 '18 at 11:19
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http://aeo.sllf.qmul.ac.uk/Files/Linking%20Words/Linking%20LOB.html – Mari-Lou A Jul 30 '18 at 11:21
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@Mari-LouA Still doesn’t answer this OP’s question or explain what conjunctive adverbs are and how they’re used. – Jul 30 '18 at 11:21
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@NathanM. perhaps you are unaware, but posting a related question does not imply that the answers offer the solution or the question being asked is identical. The OP didn't ask for the explanation of conjunctive adverbs, they asked how to classify the expressions they listed. – Mari-Lou A Jul 30 '18 at 11:24
2 Answers
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I've checked these words in dictionaries, and they all list them as adverbs. In some cases they also list them as adverb and conjunction or "sentence connector".
As for the term "conjunctive adverb", it's true that they are commonly called that. Wikipedia has an article on this and they are listed there. But they're not necessarily in and of themselves conjunctions. For example, if a "conjunctive adverb" is:
"...an adverb that connects two clauses..."
Wikipedia article
beginning a sentence with one of these words wouldn't be joining two clauses as clauses are usually defined as being within a sentence. If that's true, it's not acting as conjunction in any way. Also take the following examples:
"He is sick and therefore not fit for duty".
If "and" is the conjunction, I doubt "therefore" is acting as another conjunction, but is merely modifying what follows as an adverb.
"It is therefore imperative that we act now."
"It is however possible that we arrested the wrong suspect."
In these last two examples "therefore" and "however' have no conjunctive role.
So I think it's most accurate to call them just adverbs, but which also act as conjunctions based on how they are used.
I think if these words were necessarily adverbs AND conjunctions more dictionaries would list them as conjunctions also instead of merely "adverbs".
Sources: (note, The Free Dictionary usually has the entries from American Heritage Dictionary, Collins Dictionary and Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary)
Nevertheless
Free Dictionary
Merriam-Webster
Oxford Living Dictionaries
dictionary.com
webster-dictionary.net
Therefore
Free Dictionary
Merriam-Webster
Oxford Living Dictionaries
dictionary.com
webster-dictionary.net
Hence
Free Dictionary
Merriam-Webster
Oxford Living Dictionaries
dictionary.com
webster-dictionary.net
As was pointed out by Nathan M "perhaps" isn't a conjunction, as far as I know, and isn't listed in the Wikipedia article, whereas the others are.
List of common English conjunctive adverbs
Zebrafish
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All the words you listed, except for “perhaps,” are called conjunctive adverbs.
Patrick
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1I edited your answer to provide the OP with a more thorough explanation of conjunctive adverbs. – Jul 30 '18 at 11:11
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And “perhaps” is not a conjunctive adverb; it is just a regular adverb, like “maybe.” So, you are right. – Jul 30 '18 at 11:13
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You may want to rethink the opening word "These." After all, the OP's list begins with perhaps. – Kris Jul 30 '18 at 11:26