This week, our lesson will focus on consequential coordinating conjunctions, all of which are often used in everyday Italian. Their purpose is to introduce inferences or logical outcomes to aforementioned statements. In other words, they are all, in their own forms, (loose) Italian equivalents of the English therefore:
These are the consequential coordinating conjunctions we will be going over in this lesson:
dunque = therefore, and so
quindi = therefore, and so
ebbene = (well) then, and so
perciò = because of that, therefore
pertanto = because of that, therefore
allora = therefore, so, (well) then, in that case
These conjunctions, in a way, are a follow-up to the English as a result. As mentioned, they are used very often in Italian.
These conjunctions are not exact synonyms, although they often are interchangeable. There is no fixed rule for knowing how to pick one conjunction over another. A proper usage of consequential conjunctions can be achieved through practice and training one’s ear.
As we can see, perciò and pertanto are, in a way, a little more consequential than the other 4 conjunctions. These 2 introduce an outcome or consequence to a cause already mentioned in the same sentence:
Dunque, quindi, allora can do this as well, but are also used to sum up/conclude reasoning which was expressed earlier in the sentence:
Additionally, dunque, quindi, allora and ebbene can start an interrogative sentence, usually evoking a response or solution:
| Fa molto freddo fuori e non abbiamo delle giacche, quindi è meglio che rimaniamo a casa. It’s really cold outside and we don’t have jackets, therefore/and so it’s better that we stay inside. |
These are the consequential coordinating conjunctions we will be going over in this lesson:
dunque = therefore, and so
quindi = therefore, and so
ebbene = (well) then, and so
perciò = because of that, therefore
pertanto = because of that, therefore
allora = therefore, so, (well) then, in that case
These conjunctions, in a way, are a follow-up to the English as a result. As mentioned, they are used very often in Italian.
These conjunctions are not exact synonyms, although they often are interchangeable. There is no fixed rule for knowing how to pick one conjunction over another. A proper usage of consequential conjunctions can be achieved through practice and training one’s ear.
| Ho mangiato troppo per pranzo, dunque/quindi non ho molta fame ora. I ate a lot for lunch, therefore I am not hungry now. Ho mangiato troppo per pranzo, perciò/pertanto non ho molta fame ora. I ate a lot for lunch, (and) because of that I am not hungry now. |
As we can see, perciò and pertanto are, in a way, a little more consequential than the other 4 conjunctions. These 2 introduce an outcome or consequence to a cause already mentioned in the same sentence:
| Partiamo domani mattina, pertanto decidi questa sera se vuoi venire con noi. We leave tomorrow morning, (and) because of that you have to decide tonight if you want to come with us. |
Dunque, quindi, allora can do this as well, but are also used to sum up/conclude reasoning which was expressed earlier in the sentence:
| Maria dice di essere ingrassata, dunque ha deciso di mettersi a dieta. Maria says she’s gained weight, and so she decided to go on a diet. |
Additionally, dunque, quindi, allora and ebbene can start an interrogative sentence, usually evoking a response or solution:
| Ebbene, com’è andata la cena? So, how was the dinner? Dunque, cosa avete deciso? So, what did you decide? |