Discourse connectors
Type the missing word in each sentence. You hear each sentence read by a native voice.
tenemos un problema...
So we have a problem...
The rule
They help you show order, explain a result, add a contrasting point, or restate what you mean. Using them makes your Spanish sound like connected paragraphs instead of a list of short sentences.
The pattern
These connectors usually come at the beginning of a sentence or between two complete ideas. Use a comma after connectors such as sin embargo, además, es más, o sea, and es decir.
| Use | Connectors |
|---|---|
| Order | primero (first), luego (then), después (afterwards), al final (in the end) |
| Cause or result | por eso (that is why), entonces (so, then), así que (so) |
| Contrast | sin embargo (however), en cambio (on the other hand) |
| Addition | además (besides), es más (what is more) |
| Restating an idea | o sea (in other words, so), es decir (that is to say) |
These words do not change the verb form that follows. Use the normal verb forms for facts and actions. Sin embargo is not like aunque: it does not introduce a special verb form.
Examples
- Primero comemos, luego salimos.First we eat, then we go out.
- Terminó el trabajo y después llamó a su jefe.She finished the work and afterwards called her boss.
- Al final, decidimos quedarnos en casa.In the end, we decided to stay home.
- No estudió; por eso suspendió.He did not study, which is why he failed.
- Está lloviendo, así que no vamos a la playa.It is raining, so we are not going to the beach.
- Es caro; sin embargo, lo compré.It is expensive. However, I bought it.
- A Ana le gusta madrugar. A mí, en cambio, me gusta dormir hasta tarde.Ana likes getting up early. I, on the other hand, like sleeping late.
- O sea, no vienes.So, in other words, you are not coming.
Watch out
- Sin embargo llueva, salimos. Sin embargo, llueve y salimos.Sin embargo does not require a special verb form.
- Es caro, y lo compré. Es caro; sin embargo, lo compré.Use sin embargo when the second idea contrasts with the first.
- Primero fui al banco y después fui al supermercado y después fui a casa. Primero fui al banco, luego al supermercado y al final a casa.Vary connectors to make a sequence easier to follow.