por conseguinte/consequentemente

Consequently

Level 5

Por conseguinte and consequentemente are high-level formal connectors meaning 'consequently' or 'therefore'. They are used primarily in academic, legal, and professional writing to link a cause to its direct effect.

How It Works

In formal Portuguese, logical flow is essential. These two connectors serve that purpose:

1. Por conseguinte: This is a conjunctive phrase (locução conjuntiva). It is highly formal and often used to conclude a line of reasoning. It is almost always isolated by commas.
2. Consequentemente: This is an adverb. It explicitly highlights the cause-and-effect relationship. It can appear at the start of a sentence or inside a clause.

Functional Difference:
As an adverb, consequentemente can modify adjectives or other adverbs (e.g., 'um plano consequentemente caro' — a consequently expensive plan). Por conseguinte is strictly a sentence connector and cannot modify specific words in this way.

Register and Usage:
These are rarely heard in casual conversation. If you use them while chatting with friends, you will sound like a law textbook. Use então or por isso for daily life, and save these for essays, reports, or formal speeches. Another formal alternative often used in logic is logo.

Punctuation:
Because these words interrupt the natural flow of a sentence to provide logical structure, they usually require commas.
Example: Houve um erro; por conseguinte, o processo parou.

Examples (4)

  1. O réu não apresentou provas; por conseguinte, a sentença foi mantida.

    The defendant did not present evidence; consequently, the sentence was upheld.

    Word by Word: The defendant not presented proofs; by consequence, the sentence was maintained.

    A classic legal usage where 'por conseguinte' introduces the final decision based on the previous fact.

  2. Houve um aumento na temperatura e, consequentemente, o gelo derreteu.

    There was an increase in temperature and, consequently, the ice melted.

    Word by Word: There was an increase in the temperature and, consequently, the ice melted.

    Here, 'consequentemente' shows a direct scientific cause-and-effect relationship.

  3. A empresa perdeu lucros. Por conseguinte, haverá cortes de gastos.

    The company lost profits. Therefore, there will be spending cuts.

    Word by Word: The company lost profits. By consequence, there will be cuts of expenses.

    Used at the start of a new sentence to link it to the previous financial context.

  4. As chuvas foram intensas; consequentemente, o nível do rio subiu.

    The rains were intense; consequently, the river level rose.

    Word by Word: The rains were intense; consequently, the level of the river rose.

    Demonstrates the use of a semicolon before the connector in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'por conseguinte' (consequently) with 'porquanto' (because).

    Ele saiu, porquanto estava chovendo.
    Ele não saiu, por conseguinte não se molhou.

    'Porquanto' explains the cause (because), while 'por conseguinte' explains the result (therefore). They are opposites in logical direction.

  • Using these connectors in casual conversation.

    Não tenho dinheiro, por conseguinte não vou ao cinema.
    Não tenho dinheiro, então não vou ao cinema.

    While grammatically correct, using 'por conseguinte' with friends sounds overly stiff or robotic. Use 'então' or 'por isso' instead.

How It Connects

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

por conseguinte/consequentementeLevel 5Consequently

Learn This First

To understand 'por conseguinte' and 'consequentemente', learners should already be comfortable with basic logical connectors like 'portanto' and 'por isso'. Since these are formal connectors used to link complex ideas, a solid grasp of basic conjunctions and the causal use of the preposition 'por' is required.

Words in This Pattern

por conseguinteconsequentemente