Consequently means “as a result” or “therefore”. It introduces the result of what was said before it. It is more formal than so and is typical of essays, reports and business correspondence.
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cause. Consequently, + result; cause; consequently, + result; …, and consequently + result
- The café raised its prices by thirty per cent; consequently, many regular customers stopped coming.
- The city introduced a charge for driving into the centre, and consequently traffic there fell sharply.
- Our supplier delayed the delivery. Consequently, we had to move the product launch to May.
What changed
First versionConsequently of the strike, all flights were cancelled.
RevisionAs a consequence of the strike, all flights were cancelled.
Consequently is built on the noun consequence, so it is tempting to use it like as a consequence of, with of and a noun after it. But consequently stands on its own and introduces a result; of never follows it. When the cause is expressed by a noun, say as a consequence of or as a result of.
Don't confuse consequently with subsequently, “later, afterwards”. Subsequently is only about the order of events: She graduated in 2019 and subsequently moved to Berlin. Consequently links cause and result: The factory closed; consequently, hundreds of people lost their jobs.
Your turn
Train tickets doubled in price last year. ___, many students now travel home by bus.
Show the answer
Consequently — Tickets got more expensive, and that is why students switched to the bus. This is a result, so it is introduced by Consequently. Nevertheless means “despite that” and fits when the result goes against expectations, but here it is exactly what you would expect.
Write two essay sentences about a change in your city or country. In the first, name the change; in the second, use Consequently to say how it affected people.
Our city opened three new metro stations last year. Consequently, many people in the suburbs no longer need a car.
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