Coordination-like items

conjunctive adverbs / transitional phrases)

Coordination-like items are words or phrases that connect ideas across clauses or sentences, giving a sense of addition, contrast, consequence, or sequence, but they do not function as true coordinating conjunctions. Unlike coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so), they cannot freely join two syntactic units of the same type; they typically link independent clauses or provide a transition between sentences.

Item	Type	How it connects	Example (no “;”)
however	conjunctive adverb	contrast	I wanted to go. However, I stayed home.
therefore	conjunctive adverb	result	It was cold. Therefore, we stayed inside.
consequently	conjunctive adverb	result	He missed the train. Consequently, he was late.
nevertheless	conjunctive adverb	contrast	It was difficult. Nevertheless, she succeeded.
still	conjunctive adverb	concession	He was tired. Still, he continued working.
instead	conjunctive adverb	alternative / replacement	We didn’t drive. Instead, we took the bus.
otherwise	conjunctive adverb	conditional alternative	You must leave now. Otherwise, you will miss it.
meanwhile	conjunctive adverb	time / simultaneous event	She cooked dinner. Meanwhile, he cleaned the house.
as a result	transitional phrase	result	The road was closed. As a result, traffic was heavy.
in addition	transitional phrase	addition	The room is large. In addition, it has great lighting.
in contrast	transitional phrase	contrast	She likes mornings. In contrast, he prefers nights.
on the other hand	transitional phrase	contrast / alternative view	The plan is expensive. On the other hand, it will save time.