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The most common other words for as a result are so, therefore, consequently, as a consequence and because of this. In formal writing you will also see thus, hence and accordingly; in conversation, people mostly say so, that’s why or which means. All of them introduce the effect of something you have just mentioned: “The trains were cancelled. As a result, half the staff worked from home.”
They are not all interchangeable. Some are conjunctions and some are adverbs, which changes the punctuation; hence and thus follow their own patterns; and accordingly means something slightly different. The picker below sorts them by tone, then each one gets its rules and examples.
Quick picker
| Word or phrase | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|
| so | any; the everyday choice | It was raining, so we stayed in. |
| that’s why / which is why | conversational | He missed the bus. That’s why he was late. |
| because of this / because of that | neutral, clear | The road flooded. Because of this, the school closed early. |
| as a result | neutral to formal | Sales fell. As a result, ten stores closed. |
| therefore | formal; logic and conclusions | All the tickets are sold; therefore, the event is full. |
| consequently / as a consequence | formal; reports and essays | The data was incomplete. Consequently, the study was repeated. |
| thus | formal, academic | The new valve cuts leaks, thus reducing costs. |
| hence | formal; often before a noun | The bridge is closed, hence the long queue. |
| accordingly | formal; “in a suitable way” | The rules changed, and we adjusted our plans accordingly. |
| for this reason / for that reason | neutral to formal | The site is unstable. For this reason, visitors must stay on the path. |
So vs therefore: the punctuation difference
So is a conjunction. It joins two clauses in one sentence, with a comma before it: “The shop was closed, so we went home.”
Therefore, consequently, as a result, thus and hence are adverbs (or adverbial phrases). They cannot join two full clauses with only a comma. Use a full stop or a semicolon before them, and usually a comma after:
- Wrong: The shop was closed, therefore we went home. (comma splice)
- Right: The shop was closed. Therefore, we went home.
- Right: The shop was closed; therefore, we went home.
- Right: The shop was closed, and therefore we went home.
Most of them can also move inside the clause, set off by commas: “We, therefore, went home.” As a result is the exception: it sits best at the start of the sentence.
As a result vs as a result of
As a result stands alone and points back to the previous sentence. As a result of is followed by a noun or an -ing form and names the cause in the same sentence:
- “The match was postponed. As a result, fans got refunds.” (result)
- “The match was postponed as a result of the storm.” (cause)
Synonyms for as a result of are different: because of, due to, owing to, following and on account of. For more on giving the cause, see other ways to say because and other ways to say “this is because”.
Each word in more detail
Therefore
Best for a logical conclusion: something follows from facts or reasoning. “She has the highest score; therefore, she wins the prize.” In maths and philosophy it is the standard word. It can sound stiff in a casual email, where so is more natural.
Consequently and as a consequence
Best for an effect in the real world, especially an unwanted one: “Funding was cut. Consequently, the library now opens three days a week.” Do not confuse consequently (as a result) with subsequently (later, afterwards). “He was injured and subsequently retired” says only that he retired later, not that the injury caused it.
Thus
Formal and compact. Two patterns are common: at the start of a sentence (“Thus, the theory fails”), and before an -ing form that states the result (“The town built a bypass, thus easing traffic in the centre”). Thus can also mean “in this way” (“Fold the paper thus”), which is old-fashioned outside instructions.
Hence
Formal, and most natural before a short noun phrase: “There was a power cut, hence the darkness.” “Hence the name.” Before a full clause it is rarer and sounds bookish. A common error is “hence why”: “hence” already means “for this reason”, so “hence why” doubles it. Write “hence the delay” or “that’s why there was a delay”.
Accordingly
Means “in a way that suits what was just said”, not simply “so”: “The guests are vegetarian, and we planned the menu accordingly.” At the start of a sentence it can mean “therefore” in formal writing, but the “suitably” sense is the one learners need.
Casual choices: so, that’s why, which means
In speech and friendly messages, these are what native speakers use: “My phone died, so I couldn’t call.” “The car broke down – that’s why I’m late.” “The meeting moved to Friday, which means I can come.” “That’s why” puts the result after the cause; “This is why” does the same and is a little more emphatic.
Using them in essays
- Vary them, but not at random. Use therefore for conclusions you have argued, consequently or as a result for real-world effects, and thus before an -ing result.
- Do not start every paragraph with one. Often the connection is clear without a linker, or a sentence such as “This had two effects” does the job better.
- Check the logic. A result word promises that the second sentence follows from the first. If it only comes later, use then, later or subsequently; if it adds a point, use an adding word; if it contrasts, use another word for however.
Common mistakes
| Not right | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
| It was late, therefore we left. | It was late, so we left. / It was late; therefore, we left. | A comma alone cannot join two clauses with therefore. |
| Hence why the shop closed. | Hence the closure. / That’s why the shop closed. | “Hence why” says the same thing twice. |
| As a result of, the road closed. | As a result, the road closed. | “As a result of” needs a noun after it. |
| He broke his leg. Subsequently, he couldn’t walk. | He broke his leg. Consequently, he couldn’t walk. | Subsequently means later, not because of it. |
| So, therefore, we cancelled. | So we cancelled. / Therefore, we cancelled. | One result word is enough. |
Practice
Choose the best word or phrase. More than one may be possible; the answer gives the most natural.
- The printer was broken, ______ I sent the file by email. (so / therefore / hence)
- The experiment was not controlled. ______, the results cannot be trusted. (Therefore / Hence why / So that)
- We missed the last train, ______ the taxi fare. (hence / thus / so)
- The new system checks every order automatically, ______ reducing errors. (thus / so / hence why)
- Prices rose by 20%. ______, demand fell. (Subsequently / Consequently / Accordingly)
- The weather changed, and we packed ______. (accordingly / consequently / therefore)
Answers: 1. so 2. Therefore 3. hence 4. thus 5. Consequently 6. accordingly
Quick answers
What is a formal word for “as a result”? Consequently, therefore or thus.
What can I say instead of “therefore” in an essay? Consequently, as a result, thus, for this reason – or rewrite so the link is clear without a connector.
Is “hence” formal? Yes. In everyday speech, “that’s why” or “so” sounds more natural.
Can I start a sentence with “so”? Yes, in most writing. Very formal academic style may prefer “Therefore” or “As a result”.