Writing - Transitions - THEREFORE, THUS, CONSEQUENTLY

Adam’s English Lessons · engVid
11 Jun 201313:18
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video from www.engvid.com, Adam explains the nuances and appropriate usage of various transitional words that indicate a logical connection or conclusion in writing, particularly in essays. He covers terms like 'therefore', 'thus', 'consequently', 'so', 'then', 'hence', and the expression 'as a result'. Adam emphasizes the subtle differences between these words, noting that 'therefore' is often used to introduce a conclusion derived from a premise, while 'thus' and 'consequently' are better suited for indicating a result or consequence of a preceding argument. He advises against using 'hence' due to its formality and potential for misuse. The lesson includes examples of how to correctly use these transitions in sentences, both as sentence starters and mid-sentence, and how to avoid repetition for variety in essay writing. Adam also provides guidance on the more casual use of 'so' and 'then', and the different contexts in which 'thus' can be encountered. The video is an excellent resource for those looking to enhance their writing skills, especially for standardized tests like IELTS or TOEFL.

Takeaways
  • 📝 Use 'therefore' to indicate a conclusion based on a premise, like in the famous phrase 'I think, therefore I am'.
  • 🔄 'Thus' is used to denote a result, specifically the result of the last argument made, and is different from 'consequence'.
  • ➡️ 'Consequently' implies a consequence or result that follows from a situation, and it's good to use after a semicolon for a strong stop.
  • 🤝 'So' is an informal way to connect a cause and its result, and can be used within a sentence for a casual tone.
  • 🕒 'Then' is used to show a sequence of events, where one action follows another as a direct result.
  • 🚫 Avoid using 'hence' as it's considered old-fashioned, snobby, and often misused; it's similar to 'thus' or 'therefore'.
  • 📉 In a business context, 'therefore', 'consequently', and 'thus' are appropriate to show the result of a situation, like a company investing due to shrinking sales.
  • 📈 Use commas with 'therefore' and 'consequently' for pacing and to emphasize the decision or conclusion.
  • 💡 Don't use 'thus' with commas as it creates a direct link without pause, emphasizing the result.
  • 🔀 You can mix transitions in one sentence or situation, such as using 'so' to connect ideas within a sentence and 'consequently' to show the broader outcome.
  • ✅ For essays and formal writing, using these transitions correctly can earn you extra points for clarity and structure.
Q & A

  • What is the primary function of a transition in writing?

    -A transition serves as a bridge that connects two ideas, often to show a logical conclusion or a consequence.

  • What is the difference between 'therefore', 'thus', and 'consequently'?

    -'Therefore' is used to indicate a conclusion from a premise, 'thus' refers to a result of the last argument, and 'consequently' is used to denote a consequence that follows from a situation.

  • Why should 'therefore' not be used to start a casual sentence in an essay?

    -Using 'therefore' in a casual context can come off as trying to impress the reader unnecessarily, and it's better to use 'so' for a more natural flow.

  • How does the use of commas with transitions like 'therefore' affect the sentence?

    -Commas with transitions can affect the pace of the sentence. They can be used to emphasize the connection between ideas or to control the directness of the link.

  • What is the informal use of the word 'so' in the context of consequences or results?

    -Informally, 'so' can be used to indicate that one action is a direct result or consequence of a preceding situation or event.

  • Why does the speaker advise against using 'hence' in modern writing?

    -'Hence' is considered old-fashioned and can come off as snobbish. Additionally, it is often used incorrectly, which can lead to confusion.

  • What is the speaker's opinion on using 'thus' in a sentence?

    -The speaker suggests not to use 'thus' with commas as it can slow down the sentence unnecessarily, and it's better to use it for a direct link without pauses.

  • How can 'so' be used in different forms within a sentence?

    -'So' can be used to modify an adjective, as in 'so demanding,' or to connect clauses that have a logical consequence relationship.

  • What is the alternative meaning of 'thus' that the speaker mentions?

    -'Thus' can sometimes mean 'like this' or 'like that,' indicating a certain way in which something is done or constructed.

  • What does the speaker suggest using 'then' for in a sentence?

    -In casual spoken situations, 'then' can be used to suggest a course of action or a result based on a given situation.

  • How can transitions be used in one sentence to show multiple ideas or consequences?

    -Transitions can be mixed within a single sentence to connect multiple ideas, showing how one situation leads to another and the overall consequences.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Introduction to Transition Words in Essays

Adam from www.engvid.com introduces the topic of transitions, specifically focusing on words like 'therefore', 'thus', 'consequently', 'so', 'then', 'hence', and the expression 'as a result'. He emphasizes their use in connecting ideas logically in essays. Adam explains the subtle differences between these words, noting that 'therefore' is often used to indicate a conclusion from a premise, while 'thus' and 'consequence' or 'result' are used to denote outcomes of previous arguments or situations. He also advises on the appropriate contexts for each word and provides examples to illustrate their use.

05:03
🔍 Using Transitions in Formal and Informal Contexts

The paragraph delves into the nuanced use of transition words in different contexts. Adam discusses the formal use of 'therefore', 'consequently', and 'thus' in business or academic writing, contrasting it with the more informal use of 'so' and 'then'. He cautions against using 'therefore' in casual situations and instead recommends 'so'. The paragraph also covers the use of commas for pacing and emphasis in sentences. Adam provides examples to show how transitions can be used within a single sentence or across multiple sentences to create a logical flow of ideas.

10:09
🚫 Avoiding Misuse of Transition Words

Adam warns against the misuse of certain transition words, particularly 'hence', which he finds outdated and often misused. He advises against its use in essays unless absolutely necessary. The paragraph also touches on the various uses of 'so' and the importance of using it correctly to show a logical consequence relationship between clauses. Adam also mentions the alternative meanings of 'thus' and the casual use of 'then' in spoken language. He encourages viewers to practice with the provided quiz on www.engvid.com and to engage with the content by leaving comments and subscribing to the YouTube channel.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Transitions
Transitions are words or phrases that connect sentences or ideas within a piece of writing, making the text flow smoothly. In the video, Adam discusses various transition words such as 'therefore', 'thus', and 'consequently', emphasizing their importance in writing essays to link logical conclusions or consequences.
💡Therefore
The word 'therefore' is used to indicate a conclusion reached based on a premise. It is often associated with a more formal or mathematical context. In the script, Adam uses 'therefore' to show a direct link between a premise and a conclusion, such as 'I am cold. Therefore, I'll put on a coat.'
💡Thus
'Thus' is a term that denotes a result or outcome, typically used to connect the final point of an argument with its result. Adam points out that 'thus' is slightly different from 'consequence', which implies something that happens as a result of a previous action. An example from the script is 'Sales shrank, and the competition was increasing its market share. Thus, the company decided to invest more in R&D.'
💡Consequently
The term 'consequently' is used to indicate the result or consequence of a situation. It is similar to 'thus' but can be used in slightly different contexts. Adam illustrates its use by saying, 'The job was too demanding, so many people quit. Consequently, the company hired new employees.'
💡So
'So' is an informal transition word that can be used to show a result or consequence. It is often used in spoken language and less formal writing. In the script, Adam gives an example: 'I'm cold, so I'll put on a coat.' However, he also cautions against using 'so' in a formal essay if more formal alternatives like 'therefore' have already been used.
💡Then
The word 'then' can be used to indicate a sequence of events or actions. However, in the context of the video, Adam clarifies that 'then' can also mean 'as a result' in a more informal context. He demonstrates this with the dialogue: 'It's too difficult. Then practice more.'
💡Hence
'Hence' is a formal transition that indicates a consequence or result. Adam advises against its use in modern writing as it can come across as old-fashioned or pretentious. He suggests using it sparingly and only if the context calls for a formal tone. An example from the script is 'It was too expensive, and hence they decided to do something else.'
💡As a result
This phrase is used to show that something is a consequence or outcome of a previous event. It is more formal than 'so' and can be used in both writing and speaking. Adam uses it in the context of a business situation: 'Sales shrank, and the competition was increasing its market share. As a result, the company decided to invest more in R&D.'
💡Consequence
A consequence is the result or effect of an action or decision. In the video, Adam explains that when using transition words, it's important to understand the difference between a consequence and a result. A consequence implies a cause-and-effect relationship, as seen in the sentence 'We make choices, we make decisions, and then we have to live with the consequences.'
💡Premise
A premise is an assertion or belief that forms the basis for an argument or reasoning. In the context of the video, Adam uses the term to explain how a conclusion is reached from a premise. He cites the famous philosophical statement 'I think, therefore I am,' where 'I think' is the premise and 'I am' is the conclusion.
💡IELTS/TOEFL
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) are standardized tests that evaluate a person's English language proficiency. In the script, Adam mentions these tests as examples of contexts where understanding the correct use of transition words is crucial for writing essays.
Highlights

Adam discusses the use of transition words in essays, specifically focusing on 'therefore', 'thus', 'consequently', 'so', 'then', 'hence', and 'as a result'.

Transitions are described as bridges that connect two ideas, particularly logical conclusions or consequences.

The difference between 'therefore', 'thus', and 'consequence' is explained, with 'therefore' being more associated with a conclusion from a premise.

Use of 'thus' is for indicating a result of the last argument, whereas 'consequence' implies something happening as a result of a previous action.

Adam advises that these words should be used in relation to what was mentioned before, emphasizing their contextual nature.

The informal use of 'so' to talk about a consequence or result is introduced.

The use of 'then' to indicate a sequence of events or decisions is explained.

Adam discourages the use of 'hence' due to it being old-fashioned and often misused.

The expression 'as a result' is presented as an informal alternative to connect ideas.

Examples are provided to illustrate the use of these transitions in different contexts.

Adam clarifies that 'therefore' should not be used to start a casual sentence and suggests 'so' as a better alternative.

The use of commas with transitions is discussed, noting that their presence can affect the pace and emphasis of a sentence.

Variety in essay writing is encouraged by using different transition words to avoid repetition.

The use of 'so' in different forms is explored, emphasizing the need to use it correctly to show a logical consequence relationship.

Adam explains that 'thus' can sometimes mean 'like this' or 'like that', and advises caution to understand its context.

The casual use of 'then' in spoken language is discussed, with examples provided.

A quiz on the use of these transition words is mentioned, available on www.engvid.com for further practice.

Transcripts

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