In English, there are several “conclusion indicators” which show where a result or conclusion is being given. The following are the most common:
- therefore
- accordingly
- hence
- thus
- consequently
- as a result
These conclusion indicators occur between two independent clauses, the first of which is the cause or premise, and the second of which is the conclusion. They are usually separated from the clause or sentence by a comma. For example:
- Freud was an enthusiast for Classical culture. Consequently, he gave the parts of the personality Latin names.
They may also be used after coordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns in reduced sentences:
- Freud was an enthusiast for Classical culture, and, as a result, gave the parts of the mind Latin names.
- Freud was an enthusiast for Classical culture who, accordingly, gave the parts of the mind Latin names.
The coordinating conjunction “so” is also a conclusion indicator, but may only be used between two independent clauses, separated by a comma, where the first is the cause/premise and the second is the result/conclusion.
- Freud was an enthusiast for Classical culture, so he gave the parts of the mind Latin names.