Is Finally Adverb Or Conjunction? 3 Complete Facts

Conjunctions and adverbs are two different parts of speech whose functionalities entirely differ from each other. We shall see if “finally” is an adverb or a conjunction.

“Finally” is an adverb that can however also be a connector. Words that give extra information about descriptors, action words (verbs), or other adverbs are adverbs. Words that merely link are conjunctions. But adverb “finally” can also link clauses or words while qualifying the verb, or adjective.

This article will give us a detailed answer to the question which part of speech does the word “finally” belong to with 3 important facts and several examples.

When is “finally” an adverb?

We already know that the word “finally” is an adverb. Now, we shall learn more about the situations when the word “adverb” takes up the role of an adverb.

The following tabular column lists down the different situations when the word “finally” will or can do the work of an adverb.

Situations When “Finally” Is An Adverb	Examples	Explanations	Usage Of “Finally” As An Adverb
1. When used to denote an action or an activity that has occurred or happened after a long time / a long process with great delay or difficulty	After so much hard work and struggles, the project was finally selected by the jury.	Here, the word “finally” is used to denote that action of the project getting selected has occurred after a long time of hard work and struggles.	Hence, here the adverb “finally” modifies the action word (verb) “selected” by telling the time / the amount of time it took for the selection of the project by the jury.
2. When used to denote an action or activity that is happening at the last or end in a sequence or list	Suresh ate his evening snacks, played with his friends, and finally, wrote his homework.	Here, the word “finally” is utilized to indicate that the action of writing his homework happened at the last after he ate his snacks and played with his friends	Thus, here the adverb “finally” qualifies the action word (verb) “wrote” by telling the time / which time of the sequence in which Suresh wrote his homework.
3. When used to denote an action that will not have any changes anymore	The winner of the competition has been finally decided.	In this sentence, the word “finally” is utilized to denote that the action of deciding the winner of the competition is done / over and there will not be any changes in the decision.	So, here, the adverb “finally” modifies the action word (verb) “decided” by telling us that the decision of choosing the winner is over and final.

Situations When “Finally” Is An Adverb

Is “finally” a conjunctive adverb?

It is already clear to us that the word “finally” is an adverb. Let us here examine whether the word “finally” can be a conjunctive adverb or not.

The word “finally” is a conjunctive adverb. An adverb that not only qualifies the action word (verb), but also performs the function of a conjunction by joining or linking two clauses into one sentence is known as a conjunctive adverb.

**Example: Suhana came home, ate her dinner, and finally, prepared for her presentation.**

Clause 1: Suhana came home
Clause 2: ate her dinner
Clause 3: and finally prepared for her presentation

In the above sentence, the word “finally” is functioning as a conjunctive adverb since it modifies the verb “prepared” by telling us the time when Suhana prepared for the presentation and also aiding in linking the clause 3 with the other two clauses, thus making it into a single sentence.

When is “finally” a conjunctive adverb?

The word “finally” is / can be a conjunctive adverb when it is connecting a sentence which is functioning as an adverbial modifier of the action word (verb) located in the previous sentence and thereby showing the sequence and time of the action or activity.

The table below comprises of a few examples where the word “finally” is functioning as a conjunctive adverb.

Examples	Clauses / Sentences	Explanations	Usage Of “Finally” As A Conjunctive Adverb
1. All the students were waiting for the results. Finally, after a long wait and delay, it was published in the university’s official website.	Sentence 1: All the students were waiting for the results Sentence 2: Finally, after a long wait and delay, it was published in the university’s official website.	Here, “finally” functions as a conjunctive adverb. As an adverb it is depicting to us that the action of publishing the results had occurred after a very long time and delay.	As a conjunctive adverb, the word “finally” is modifying the verb “published” by telling us the time when the results were published. It is also connecting the two sentences by creating a transition or link between them.
2. Viraj sat down on the chair, drank some water, and finally, said what happened at the party.	Clause 1: Viraj sat down on the chair Clause 2: drank some water Clause 3: and finally, said what happened at the party.	In this sentence, the word “finally” takes up the role of a conjunctive adverb. As an adverb it is revealing to us that the activity of saying what happened at the party had taken place at last after Viraj sitting down and drinking some water.	As a conjunctive adverb, the word “finally” is qualifying the action word (verb) “said” by indicating to us the time when (in a sequence of other actions) Viraj said what happened at the party. “Finally” is also linking the third clause with the first two clauses thereby making them into a one unified sentence.
3. The match was long and tiring, but finally, we won the match.	Clause 1: The match was long and tiring Clause 2: but, finally, we won the match	In the given sentence, the word “finally” is functioning as a conjunctive adverb. As an adverb it is denoting to us that the action of winning the match had happened or occurred last after a long and a tiring match.	As a conjunctive adverb, the word “finally” is here qualifying the action word (verb) “won” by revealing to us the time when (after a long time) “we” won the match. The conjunctive adverb “finally” is also aiding to join the two clauses thereby making them into one sentence for better understanding.
4. Though we had a long discussion in the meeting, the problem among the board members had not yet been finally solved until now.	Clause 1: Though we had a long discussion in the meeting Clause 2: the problem among the board members had not yet been finally solved.	Here in this sentence, the word “finally” is nothing but a conjunctive adverb. As an adverb “finally” is showing us that the action of solving the problem had not yet happened or taken place in a final manner till now.	As a conjunctive adverb, the word “finally” is here describing the action word (verb) “had not been solved” by telling us that till when (now – time) the problem among the board members have not solved in a final way / manner. In this sentence, “finally” is also working as a connector in linking both the clauses into a one sentence, to make more and complete sentence.
5. Now that the seminar has come to an end, we would; finally, deliver the vote of thanks.	Clause 1: Now that the seminar has come to an end Clause 2: we would; finally, deliver the vote of thanks	In this sentence, the word “finally” plays the role of a conjunctive adverb. As an adverb, “finally” is mentioning to us that the activity or action of delivering the vote of thanks is going to take place at last or at the end of the seminar.	As a conjunctive adverb, “finally” is here qualifying the action word (verb) “deliver” by indicating to us the time when the vote of thanks will be delivered. Here, “finally” is also functioning as a linker in joining the two clauses into a one sentence, to mark the transition and complete meaning.

Usage Of “Finally” As A Conjunctive Adverb

Is “finally” a conjunction?

“Finally” aids in linking and joining, but can it be regarded as a conjunction? Here we shall find out the answer to this question.

“Finally” is definitely not a conjunction. A word which just solely does the work of connecting and linking is a conjunction. Despite “finally” helping in joining clauses, it cannot be considered as a conjunction since it also qualifies the action words present in the clauses while linking them.

**Example: All of us wrote our tests, submitted our papers, and finally left the class.**

In the above give sentence, the word “finally” is not a conjunction. Apart from joining the three clauses “All of us wrote tests”, “submitted our papers” and “finally, left the class”, it is also telling us when (at last) we left the class, by qualifying the verb “left”. Hence, it can be regarded as a conjunctive adverb and not as a conjunction.

Conclusion

Thus, the above article, clearly explains to us the part of speech to which the word “finally” belongs to by stating the reasons as well.