Useful options include consequently, therefore, thus, and hence. The best choice depends on context: cause-and-effect transitions and constructions.
Choose the Connector by Sentence Structure
- Consequently
- Therefore
- Thus
- Hence
- Accordingly
- For this reason
- As a consequence
- Because of this
- Resulting in
- Which led to
- Thereby
- In consequence
- So
Consequently
“Consequently” is formal and strongly signals a consequence of what came before.
Example: Demand increased; consequently, the team extended opening hours.
Therefore
“Therefore” is the standard logical connector for an inference or consequence.
Example: Demand increased; therefore, the team extended opening hours.
Thus
“Thus” is concise and common in academic or analytical writing.
Example: Demand increased, thus requiring longer opening hours.
Hence
“Hence” is formal and slightly old-fashioned in everyday prose.
Example: Demand increased, hence the decision to extend opening hours.
Accordingly
“Accordingly” often introduces an action or conclusion that follows appropriately from the previous point.
Example: Demand increased; accordingly, the team extended opening hours.
For this reason
“For this reason” is explicit and natural when the previous statement provides the reason.
Example: Demand increased. For this reason, the team extended opening hours.
As a consequence
“As a consequence” is a close formal phrase for a resulting consequence.
Example: Demand increased. As a consequence, opening hours were extended.
Because of this
“Because of this” is plain language for a direct causal link.
Example: Demand increased. Because of this, the team extended opening hours.
Resulting in
“Resulting in” requires a grammatical continuation such as a noun phrase or participial clause.
Example: Demand increased, resulting in longer opening hours.
Which led to
“Which led to” links a preceding event with the outcome it produced.
Example: Demand increased, which led to longer opening hours.
Thereby
“Thereby” is concise and often works within a clause rather than as a standalone sentence opener.
Example: The team extended opening hours, thereby increasing capacity.
In consequence
“In consequence” is formal and less common than “consequently”.
Example: Demand increased; in consequence, opening hours were extended.
So
“So” is informal and direct, especially in speech and less formal writing.
Example: Demand increased, so the team extended opening hours.