consequently

consequently — adverb

1. used to introduce the outcome or result of something that was just described, sh

1.adverbB1
Definition

used to introduce the outcome or result of something that was just described, showing that one event or situation directly caused another

Example

Theo studied every evening for months; consequently, he passed the exam on his first try.

pattern: [cause clause] ; consequently, [result clause]

Consequently, after the factory shut down, Leila had to look for work in a neighbouring city.

sentence-initial position: Consequently, [result clause]

Synonyms
  • therefore

    more formal and common in academic writing; interchangeable in most contexts

  • as a result

    less formal; can appear at the beginning or end of a clause

  • thus

    more formal; often used in logical, mathematical, or scientific reasoning

  • accordingly

    formal; common in business and institutional writing

Grammar Patterns

[cause clause]; consequently, [result clause]

Consequently, [result clause]

Usage Note

More common in formal writing and academic contexts than in everyday speech. When joining two independent clauses, use a semicolon (;) before 'consequently' and a comma after it — not a plain comma, which creates a comma splice.

Common Mistakes

It was raining, consequently we stayed inside.
It was raining; consequently, we stayed inside.
'Consequently' is a conjunctive adverb and needs a semicolon (or period) before it, not a comma.
He was late, consequently, he missed the bus.' (comma before consequently).
He was late; consequently, he missed the bus.
A comma before a conjunctive adverb creates a comma splice.

Word family

  • consequence
    nounB2
  • consequent
    adjectiveC1
  • inconsequential
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Consequently', 'therefore', 'thus', 'accordingly', and 'as a result' all signal that what follows is the outcome of what came before. 'Consequently' is the most neutral and widely used in both academic and professional writing — it simply says 'this happened because of that'. 'Therefore' leans slightly more formal and is the preferred choice in logical arguments and scientific papers ('the temperature rose; therefore, the reaction accelerated'). 'Thus' is the most formal and often implies a chain of reasoning rather than a simple cause-effect; it can also mean 'in this way'. 'Accordingly' belongs to formal business and legal registers ('the contract was breached; accordingly, damages were awarded'). 'As a result' is the least formal and works naturally in spoken English and informal writing. For example, in a conversation you would say 'I missed the train; as a result, I was late', while in an essay you would write 'The policy was poorly designed; consequently, it failed to achieve its goals.'

therefore ↗thus ↗accordingly ↗as a result

Common collocations

Phrases

  • [cause clause]; consequently, [result clause]
  • [cause clause]. Consequently, [result clause]
  • Consequently, [result clause]

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

'Consequently' comes from the Latin word 'consequentia', meaning 'a following after' or 'logical sequence'. This Latin root is built from 'com-' (together) and 'sequi' (to follow). The word passed through Old French before entering English, and the '-ly' suffix was added to form the adverb. The idea has always been about one thing naturally following another in time or logic.