enim, autem, igitur, itaque, tamen, nam

Small Linking Words

Level 3

Some linking words never begin a clause: enim and autem stand second.

How It Works

Word	Meaning	Where it stands
enim	for, because	second
autem	however, and	second
igitur	therefore	usually second
itaque	and so	first
nam	for	first
tamen	yet, still	first or second

Second means after the first word of the clause, or after two short words that belong together. In Iulia autem in foro est, the word autem stands after Iulia.

Nam and enim both mean for, and both give a reason. Nam starts its clause, and enim never does. In the Mass line Hoc est enim corpus meum, enim follows the pair Hoc est.

Itaque and igitur both show a result, so they are the pair to know when you want to say therefore.

Examples (5)

Marcus domi est; Iulia autem in foro est.
Marcus is at home; Iulia, however, is in the forum.
Autem stands second in its clause, after Iulia.
Romam amo, nam urbs pulchra est.
I love Rome, for it is a beautiful city.
Nam starts the clause that gives the reason.
Hoc est enim corpus meum.
For this is my body.
Enim follows the first two words, Hoc est, which belong together. The words are from the Mass.
Pluit; itaque domi sumus.
It is raining; and so we are at home.
Itaque starts the clause that gives the result.
Pluit; Marcus igitur domi manet, Iulia tamen Romam it.
It is raining; so Marcus stays at home, but Iulia goes to Rome anyway.
Igitur and tamen both stand second.

Common Mistakes

Starting a clause with autem.
Autem Iulia in foro est.
Iulia autem in foro est.
In classical Latin, autem stands second in its clause, right after the word that you want to set against what came before.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

enim, autem, igitur, itaque, tamen, namLevel 3Small Linking Words

Learn This First

These small words link a sentence to the one before, as the words for and do.

atque, ac (And, With More Weight)Also and Besides: Atque, Ac
Know atque and ac, because enim, autem and nam also link a sentence to the one before it.
Level 3

Words in This Pattern

enimautemigituritaquetamennam

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