B2 Prepositions & Connectors 14 min read Easy

Expressing Logical Results (so, therefore)

These words connect a cause to its effect, but the one you choose reveals the formality of the situation.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'então', 'portanto', or 'por isso' to link a cause to its logical result in Portuguese.

  • Use 'então' for informal, conversational flow: 'Estava cansado, então dormi.'
  • Use 'portanto' for formal, written, or academic contexts: 'O projeto falhou, portanto, desistimos.'
  • Use 'por isso' to emphasize the reason: 'Choveu, por isso não fomos à praia.'
Cause + [Connector] + Result

Overview

Expressing logical results is fundamental to coherent communication in any language. In Portuguese, this involves connecting a cause or premise to its consequence or conclusion. The primary connectors you will encounter are então, por isso, portanto, logo, and assim.

While they all convey a sense of 'so', 'therefore', or 'that’s why', their usage is highly dependent on register, emphasis, and subtle logical nuances. Mastering these distinctions is crucial for B2-level learners, allowing you to articulate complex ideas with precision and sound genuinely native.

At this intermediate-to-advanced stage, simply knowing the dictionary definition is insufficient. You need to understand the socio-linguistic context in which each connector is appropriate. Using portanto in a casual text message, for example, would be grammatically correct but socially incongruous, much like employing overly formal language in a relaxed conversation in English.

This guide dissects each connector, elucidating its specific function and helping you select the most fitting option for any given communicative situation.

How This Grammar Works

These connectors function as discourse markers, guiding the listener or reader through the logical progression of your thoughts. They establish a clear causal-consequential relationship between two clauses or sentences. The first statement (oração causal or premissa) presents the cause, reason, or initial condition, and the connector then introduces the subsequent effect, outcome, or conclusion (oração consecutiva or conclusão).
This structural role is vital for achieving both cohesion (grammatical links) and coherence (logical flow) in Portuguese. Without these linguistic bridges, your discourse would appear as a series of disconnected statements rather than a well-reasoned argument or narrative.
Consider the inherent directionality these words provide: they always point from an established fact or action towards its inevitable (or presented as inevitable) result. This is a core linguistic mechanism for building complex thought structures. For instance, in Estudou muito, por isso passou no exame (He studied a lot, therefore he passed the exam), por isso explicitly links estudou muito as the direct precursor to passou no exame.
The connector signals that the second clause is not merely an additional piece of information, but a direct logical deduction from the first. Understanding this fundamental function unlocks greater fluency in constructing arguments, explaining phenomena, and telling stories in Portuguese.

Formation Pattern

1
The syntactic placement of these connectors is relatively consistent, primarily serving to link two clauses or sentences. The standard pattern involves placing the connector after the first clause, typically preceded by a comma. This comma signals a pausal break and the introduction of the consequential information, adhering to Portuguese punctuation norms for compound sentences connected by conjunctive adverbs.
2
Basic Clause-Linking Pattern:
3
| Clause 1 (Cause/Premise) | Punctuation | Connector | Clause 2 (Result/Consequence) |
4
| :-------------------------- | :---------- | :-------------------- | :------------------------------- |
5
| A chuva foi intensa | , | então / por isso | as ruas alagaram. |
6
| Ele não se preparou | , | portanto / logo | o resultado foi negativo. |
7
| É preciso organizar-se | , | assim | atingirá os objetivos. |
8
Alternatively, especially for stronger emphasis or in formal writing, these connectors can initiate a new sentence. In such cases, they are typically followed by a comma, providing a brief pause before the new sentence unfolds. This usage implies a more deliberate and considered connection to the preceding statement, often used when the cause or premise was laid out in a separate, complete sentence.
9
A empresa enfrentava sérias dificuldades financeiras. Portanto, foi necessário reestruturar a equipe. (The company faced serious financial difficulties. Therefore, it was necessary to restructure the team.)
10
Eu estava exausto. Então, decidi ir para casa cedo. (I was exhausted. So, I decided to go home early.)
11
The choice of whether to use a comma before the connector within a single sentence or to start a new sentence with it often boils down to desired rhetorical effect and sentence flow, with the latter emphasizing the result more distinctly.

When To Use It

Each connector carries its own specific weight, formality, and nuance, making the selection critical for effective communication. Understanding these distinctions moves you beyond merely being understood, towards sounding genuinely articulate.
  • Então (So / Then)
Então is the most ubiquitous and versatile of these connectors, particularly in Brazilian Portuguese, where it often serves as a conversational filler or discourse marker. It signifies a logical next step or consequence in a casual, straightforward manner. Its flexibility means it can convey 'so', 'then', 'in that case', or 'at that moment', making context paramount.
It is appropriate for everyday conversations, informal emails, and text messages.
  • Casual consequence: Estou com muita sede, então vou beber água. (I'm very thirsty, so I'm going to drink water.)
  • Logical progression/next step: Ele não quis vir, então não o esperamos. (He didn't want to come, so we didn't wait for him.)
  • Implied understanding (often in questions): Você não estudou para a prova? Então, como você espera passar? (You didn't study for the test? So, how do you expect to pass?)
  • Por isso (That's why / For that reason)
Por isso establishes a clearer, more emphatic cause-and-effect link than então. It literally translates to 'for that (reason)', directly attributing the result to the preceding cause. This connector is suitable for both spoken and written Portuguese, occupying a middle ground in terms of formality – less formal than portanto, but more explicit than então.
It highlights the reason behind the consequence more distinctly.
  • Clear consequence: Choveu muito ontem à noite, por isso as ruas estão molhadas. (It rained a lot last night, that's why the streets are wet.)
  • Reasoned action: Ela estava muito doente, por isso não pôde comparecer à reunião. (She was very sick, for that reason she couldn't attend the meeting.)
  • Explaining a situation: O prazo era muito apertado, por isso a equipe trabalhou horas extras. (The deadline was very tight, that's why the team worked overtime.)
  • Portanto (Therefore / Consequently)
Portanto is the most formal and definitive connector for logical results. It is typically reserved for academic writing, official documents, legal discourse, formal presentations, or any context where a strong, unambiguous conclusion is being drawn from a stated premise. It signals a highly formal and conclusive deduction.
Using portanto lends gravity and authority to your statements.
  • Academic argument: A pesquisa demonstrou falhas metodológicas. Portanto, os resultados não são confiáveis. (The research showed methodological flaws. Therefore, the results are not reliable.)
  • Formal declaration: O contrato foi assinado por ambas as partes. Portanto, é juridicamente vinculativo. (The contract was signed by both parties. Consequently, it is legally binding.)
  • Policy explanation: A demanda aumentou drasticamente. Portanto, os preços serão ajustados. (Demand increased drastically. Therefore, prices will be adjusted.)
  • Logo (Therefore / So)
Similar to portanto in its formal nature, logo often implies a more immediate or axiomatic logical deduction. It is frequently found in philosophical statements (e.g., Descartes' Penso, logo existo – I think, therefore I am) or in contexts where the conclusion flows very directly and self-evidently from the premise. While formal, it can sometimes feel slightly less ponderous than portanto and is occasionally used in slightly less rigid formal settings.
Be mindful of its homograph logo (soon).
  • Immediate deduction: Todos os homens são mortais; Sócrates é homem, logo Sócrates é mortal. (All men are mortal; Socrates is a man, therefore Socrates is mortal.)
  • Self-evident consequence: O sistema está offline, logo não é possível aceder aos dados. (The system is offline, therefore it is not possible to access the data.)
  • Logical imperative: Você tem um compromisso. Logo, precisa sair agora. (You have an appointment. So, you need to leave now.)
  • Assim (Thus / In this way / So)
Assim connects a method, manner, or preceding action to its result or consequence. It implies that the result occurs 'in this manner' or 'by doing this'. It's particularly useful when you are describing a process or explaining how a specific approach leads to a certain outcome.
Assim is generally more formal than então but less conclusive than portanto or logo.
  • Process to result: Devemos seguir as instruções cuidadosamente. Assim, evitaremos erros. (We must follow the instructions carefully. Thus, we will avoid errors.)
  • Methodological outcome: Ela praticou diariamente por meses. Assim, aperfeiçoou a sua técnica. (She practiced daily for months. In this way, she perfected her technique.)
  • Condition leading to consequence: Economizando energia, você contribui para o meio ambiente. Assim, garantimos um futuro mais sustentável. (By saving energy, you contribute to the environment. Thus, we ensure a more sustainable future.)
Summary of Connector Usage:
| Connector | Formality Level | Primary Nuance / Emphasis | Common Contexts |
| :---------- | :-------------- | :------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------- |
| então | Informal | General consequence, 'then', filler | Casual conversation, texting, informal emails |
| por isso | Mid-level | Clear cause-effect, 'for that reason' | General conversation, most written contexts |
| logo | Formal | Immediate/axiomatic deduction, 'so' | Academic, philosophical, strong logical arguments |
| portanto | Highly Formal | Conclusive deduction, 'therefore' | Academic, legal, official documents, formal reports |
| assim | Mid-to-Formal | Method/manner leading to result, 'thus'| Explaining processes, formal instructions |

Common Mistakes

Learners often encounter specific pitfalls when employing these result-oriented connectors. Recognizing these patterns of error can significantly refine your Portuguese.
  • Confusing por isso with porque: This is perhaps the most frequent error. Porque introduces the cause (answers 'why?'), while por isso introduces the result (answers 'what happened because of that?'). They express inverse relationships. A common mistake is to use por isso when porque is required to explain the reason for the first action.
  • ✗ Estou cansado, por isso dormi mal. (Illogical: Being tired is usually a result of poor sleep, not the other way around.)
  • ✓ Dormi mal, por isso estou cansado. (I slept badly, therefore I am tired.)
  • ✓ Estou cansado porque dormi mal. (I am tired because I slept badly.)
The grammatical function dictates the choice: porque follows the effect to state the cause; por isso follows the cause to state the effect.
  • Over-formal usage in informal contexts: Employing portanto or logo in everyday conversation or casual writing immediately strikes a native speaker as unnatural or even pompous. It creates a register mismatch that can hinder effective communication more than a grammatical error. Always err on the side of então or por isso for general use, reserving the highly formal options for appropriate situations. Your B2 goal is not just correctness, but also appropriateness.
  • ✗ (In a text message) Não tenho dinheiro, portanto não posso comprar.
  • ✓ Não tenho dinheiro, então não posso comprar. (I don't have money, so I can't buy it.)
  • Incorrect comma placement: While Portuguese punctuation can be complex, the general rule for these connectors is to precede them with a comma when they link two clauses within the same sentence. Omitting the comma creates a run-on sentence and can make the text harder to parse, disrupting the intended logical flow. The comma acts as a visual and rhythmic cue for the logical connection.
  • ✗ Ela estudou muito por isso passou.
  • ✓ Ela estudou muito, por isso passou. (She studied a lot, so she passed.)
  • Ambiguity with logo (adverb vs. connector): The word logo can function as a connector meaning 'therefore', but also as an adverb meaning 'soon' or 'immediately'. Context almost always clarifies, but learners should be aware of this potential for confusion.
  • Ele terminou o trabalho, logo saiu. (He finished the work, therefore he left.) - Connector
  • Chego logo! (I'll arrive soon!) - Adverb
The presence of a preceding clause requiring a logical consequence will typically disambiguate the connector logo.
  • Overuse of então as a filler (Brazilian Portuguese): While então is extremely common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese, sometimes functioning akin to English 'um' or 'like', excessive, unnecessary insertion can make speech sound hesitant or repetitive. At a B2 level, aim for judicious use, ensuring então genuinely carries meaning rather than just filling space.

Real Conversations

Observing these connectors in authentic dialogues provides invaluable insight into their natural rhythm and context-dependent usage. Pay attention to how native speakers effortlessly shift between them based on the formality and the precise logical link they wish to establish.

1. Casual Chat (Texting, Friends):

- Sofia: Não consegui acabar o trabalho a tempo. (I couldn't finish the work on time.)

- Pedro: Ah, entendi. Então não vais poder sair hoje à noite? (Ah, I get it. So you won't be able to go out tonight?)

- Sofia: Exato. Por isso estou meio chateada. (Exactly. That's why I'm a bit upset.)

In this exchange, então naturally introduces a direct, informal consequence, while por isso emphasizes the reason for Sofia's mood.

2. Work Email (Mid-Formal):

- Prezados, Informo que o relatório final será atrasado. Tivemos um imprevisto técnico inesperado no servidor. Por isso, a nova data de entrega será na próxima sexta-feira. (Dear all, I inform you that the final report will be delayed. We had an unexpected technical issue with the server. For that reason, the new delivery date will be next Friday.)

Here, por isso is an appropriate choice to provide a clear, justified reason for the delay without sounding overly stiff, maintaining a professional but accessible tone.

3. Formal Presentation/Meeting:

- Conforme os dados apresentados, a projeção de vendas para o próximo trimestre é desfavorável. Portanto, propomos uma reavaliação completa da nossa estratégia de marketing. (According to the data presented, the sales projection for the next quarter is unfavorable. Therefore, we propose a complete reevaluation of our marketing strategy.)

Portanto is chosen here to convey a strong, undeniable conclusion drawn from objective data, compelling the audience towards a specific course of action.

4. Explaining a Process (Informative context):

- Para otimizar o consumo de energia, recomenda-se desligar os aparelhos eletrónicos quando não estiverem em uso. Assim, reduz-se o desperdício e a fatura elétrica. (To optimize energy consumption, it's recommended to turn off electronic devices when not in use. Thus, waste is reduced and the electricity bill.)

Assim perfectly links the recommended action (turning off devices) to its desired consequences (reduced waste and bill), explaining the mechanism of the result.

Quick FAQ

  • Can I start a sentence with these words?
Yes, absolutely. Então, Portanto, Logo, and Assim frequently begin sentences to link them to the preceding discourse. This often provides a stronger rhetorical break and emphasizes the consequential nature of the new sentence.
  • Não havia mais ingressos. Então, decidimos voltar para casa. (There were no more tickets. So, we decided to go home.)
  • Os resultados foram inconclusivos. Portanto, é necessária uma nova análise. (The results were inconclusive. Therefore, a new analysis is necessary.)
  • What's the biggest difference between Brazilian and European Portuguese here?
The primary difference lies in the frequency and sometimes nuanced usage of então. In Brazilian Portuguese, então is far more prevalent, often acting as a very soft connector, a conversational filler, or even signaling a new topic (E então? - 'So, what's up?'). While used in European Portuguese, it is generally less frequent and less prone to being used as a simple filler.
The other connectors (por isso, portanto, logo, assim) function very similarly across both variants.
  • Is daí also a logical connector?
Yes, daí is a highly informal, very common spoken Brazilian Portuguese equivalent for por isso or então, particularly when expressing a direct and often immediate consequence. It literally means 'from there' or 'from that'. It should be reserved exclusively for very casual contexts and spoken language.
You will hear it frequently in everyday speech, but it is unsuitable for formal writing or exams.
  • Não tinha mais dinheiro, daí não pude comprar. (I had no more money, so I couldn't buy it.)
  • Are there other, more formal synonyms?
Certainly. For very formal or academic contexts, you might encounter consequentemente (consequently), por conseguinte (consequently/therefore), em consequência (as a consequence), or destarte (thus/therefore – very archaic). These are generally interchangeable with portanto or logo but tend to be even more emphatic and less common in general use.
  • Can they ever be used interchangeably?
In some grey areas, particularly between então and por isso in less formal writing, there might be some overlap. However, choosing the most precise connector according to formality and the specific logical emphasis you wish to convey will always result in more natural and sophisticated Portuguese. While Estou com sede, então vou beber água and Estou com sede, por isso vou beber água are both understood, the latter subtly implies a stronger, more direct causal link.

Connector Usage Guide

Connector Register Best Context
então
Informal
Daily conversation
portanto
Formal
Academic/Business
por isso
Neutral
General explanations

Meanings

These connectors establish a logical cause-and-effect relationship between two clauses.

1

Informal Consequence

Used in daily speech to indicate a natural result.

“Estava com fome, então comi um sanduíche.”

“Não vi o e-mail, então não respondi.”

2

Formal Conclusion

Used in professional or academic writing to state a logical deduction.

“Os dados são insuficientes, portanto, a conclusão é inválida.”

“O contrato expirou, portanto, não podemos renovar.”

3

Emphatic Reason

Highlights that the result is specifically due to the preceding cause.

“Esqueci as chaves, por isso estou aqui fora.”

“Ele mentiu, por isso não confio nele.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Expressing Logical Results (so, therefore)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Cause, Connector Result
Estudei, então passei.
Negative
Cause, Connector Negative Result
Estou cansado, então não vou.
Question
Connector + Question?
Então, vamos?
Formal
Cause, Portanto, Result
O plano falhou, portanto, mudamos.
Emphatic
Cause, Por isso, Result
Choveu, por isso não saí.
Casual
Cause, Então, Result
Tô sem grana, então não vou.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Estou exausto, portanto, irei descansar.

Estou exausto, portanto, irei descansar. (Daily life)

Neutral
Estou cansado, por isso vou dormir.

Estou cansado, por isso vou dormir. (Daily life)

Informal
Tô cansado, então vou dormir.

Tô cansado, então vou dormir. (Daily life)

Slang
Tô morto, então vou apagar.

Tô morto, então vou apagar. (Daily life)

Logical Flow

Consequence

Formal

  • portanto therefore

Informal

  • então so

Emphatic

  • por isso that's why
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Examples by Level

1

Estou com fome, então vou comer.

I'm hungry, so I'm going to eat.

1

Não tenho dinheiro, por isso não vou ao cinema.

I don't have money, so I'm not going to the cinema.

1

O projeto está atrasado, portanto precisamos trabalhar mais.

The project is late, therefore we need to work more.

1

A economia está instável, por isso os investidores estão cautelosos.

The economy is unstable, that's why investors are cautious.

1

A evidência é clara; portanto, a decisão é definitiva.

The evidence is clear; therefore, the decision is final.

1

Não houve consenso, por isso a reunião foi adiada.

There was no consensus, so the meeting was postponed.

Easily Confused

Expressing Logical Results (so, therefore) vs Porque vs Por isso

Learners swap cause and result.

Expressing Logical Results (so, therefore) vs Então vs Portanto

Using formal words in casual settings.

Expressing Logical Results (so, therefore) vs Logo vs Portanto

Both are formal.

Common Mistakes

✗

Eu como porque estou com fome.

✓

Estou com fome, por isso como.

Confusing cause and result.
✗

Entao eu vou.

✓

Eu vou, então.

Word order.
✗

Portanto eu como.

✓

Estou com fome, portanto, como.

Using formal words in casual settings.
✗

Por isso eu nao sei.

✓

Não sei, por isso pergunto.

Incorrect clause order.
✗

Ele é rico, então ele compra tudo.

✓

Ele é rico, por isso compra tudo.

Overusing 'então'.
✗

Portanto, eu quero ir.

✓

Quero ir, portanto, vou.

Formal connector in wrong context.
✗

Eu não estudei, porque reprovei.

✓

Eu não estudei, por isso reprovei.

Confusing cause and result.
✗

O tempo estava ruim, então, portanto, não fomos.

✓

O tempo estava ruim, portanto, não fomos.

Redundancy.
✗

Não vi o filme, por isso não gostei.

✓

Não vi o filme, por isso não posso dizer se gostei.

Logical error.
✗

Portanto, ele é muito legal.

✓

Ele é muito legal, por isso gosto dele.

Register mismatch.
✗

A situação é grave, então devemos agir.

✓

A situação é grave, portanto, devemos agir.

Register mismatch in formal writing.
✗

Ele não veio, por isso, portanto, não vimos.

✓

Ele não veio; portanto, não o vimos.

Redundancy.
✗

Por isso, a conclusão é errada.

✓

Portanto, a conclusão é errada.

Formal logic requires 'portanto'.
✗

Não é verdade, então não acredito.

✓

Não é verdade, por isso não acredito.

Nuance of 'por isso' vs 'então'.

Sentence Patterns

Estou ___, então vou ___.

O resultado foi ___, portanto, ___.

Choveu, por isso ___.

A situação é ___, por isso ___.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Tô sem bateria, então vou desligar.

Job Interview common

Tenho experiência, portanto, sou ideal para a vaga.

Food Delivery App occasional

O restaurante fechou, por isso o pedido foi cancelado.

Academic Essay very common

Os dados são claros, portanto, a teoria é válida.

Travel common

O voo atrasou, por isso perdi a conexão.

Social Media common

Amei o post, por isso compartilhei!

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💡

Use commas

Always place a comma before 'então' or 'portanto' to separate the cause from the result.
⚠️

Don't over-formalize

Avoid using 'portanto' when talking to friends; it makes you sound like a textbook.
🎯

The 'Por isso' trick

If you aren't sure which to use, 'por isso' is the safest, most natural choice in almost any situation.
💬

Brazilian filler

In Brazil, 'então' is often used just to start a sentence, like 'So...'. Don't be confused by this!

Smart Tips

Use 'portanto' to summarize your request.

O prazo acabou. Precisamos de mais tempo. → O prazo acabou, portanto, precisamos de mais tempo.

Use 'então' to keep the flow natural.

Estou cansado. Vou dormir. → Estou cansado, então vou dormir.

Use 'por isso' to emphasize the result.

Não fui porque estava ocupado. → Estava ocupado, por isso não fui.

Use 'portanto' to state your conclusion.

A ideia é boa. Vamos fazer. → A ideia é boa, portanto, vamos fazer.

Pronunciation

en-TÃO

Então

The 'ão' is a nasal sound. Practice the 'n' sound in the nose.

por-TAN-to

Portanto

Stress the 'tan' syllable.

Rising-Falling

Estou cansado, ↗ então ↘ vou dormir.

Indicates a logical conclusion.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

P-E-P: Portanto (Formal), Então (Casual), Por isso (Reason).

Visual Association

Imagine a bridge. The cause is one side, the result is the other. The connector is the bridge.

Rhyme

Se quer ser formal, use portanto, se quer ser casual, use então, tanto faz o que você diz, desde que a lógica seja feliz.

Story

Maria forgot her umbrella (Cause). She got wet (Result). She said: 'Esqueci o guarda-chuva, por isso me molhei.'

Word Web

entãoportantopor issoconsequentementelogo

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about your day using each connector.

Cultural Notes

Brazilians use 'então' as a filler word at the start of sentences, not just as a connector.

Portuguese speakers use 'portanto' more frequently in daily speech than Brazilians.

In formal writing, 'portanto' is the standard connector for logical deduction.

These connectors evolved from Latin illative structures.

Conversation Starters

“

Por que você está aprendendo português?

“

O que você vai fazer no fim de semana?

“

Como você avalia a situação atual da economia?

“

Por que você escolheu este curso?

Journal Prompts

Descreva seu dia usando 'então' para conectar as ações.
Explique por que você decidiu aprender português.
Escreva um parágrafo formal sobre um problema ambiental.
Analise uma decisão importante que você tomou.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct connector.

Estou cansado, ___ vou dormir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: então
It indicates a result.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Não fui porque estava doente.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Estava doente, por isso não fui.
Correcting cause/result confusion.
Choose the most formal option. Multiple Choice

O projeto falhou, ___ desistimos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: portanto
Portanto is formal.
Reorder the sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O resultado foi ruim, portanto, mudamos.
Correct logical order.
Translate to Portuguese. Translation

I'm hungry, so I'll eat.

Answer starts with: Est...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Estou com fome, então vou comer.
Natural translation.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Por que você não veio? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Estava doente, por isso não vim.
Logical response.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Combine: 'Choveu' and 'Não saí'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Choveu, por isso não saí.
Correct cause/result.
Sort by formality. Grammar Sorting

Which is the most formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: portanto
Portanto is the most formal.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct connector.

Estou cansado, ___ vou dormir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: então
It indicates a result.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Não fui porque estava doente.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Estava doente, por isso não fui.
Correcting cause/result confusion.
Choose the most formal option. Multiple Choice

O projeto falhou, ___ desistimos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: portanto
Portanto is formal.
Reorder the sentence. Sentence Reorder

portanto / O resultado / mudamos / foi ruim

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O resultado foi ruim, portanto, mudamos.
Correct logical order.
Translate to Portuguese. Translation

I'm hungry, so I'll eat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Estou com fome, então vou comer.
Natural translation.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Por que você não veio? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Estava doente, por isso não vim.
Logical response.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Combine: 'Choveu' and 'Não saí'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Choveu, por isso não saí.
Correct cause/result.
Sort by formality. Grammar Sorting

Which is the most formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: portanto
Portanto is the most formal.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank with the best connector. Fill in the Blank

Não temos todos os ingredientes. ______, não podemos fazer o bolo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Logo
Find and correct the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Ele treinou muito, porque ele ganhou a competição.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele treinou muito, por isso ele ganhou a competição.
Put the words in the correct order to form a logical sentence. Sentence Reorder

atrasado / acordei / , / cheguei / então / eu

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu acordei atrasado, então cheguei.
Translate the following sentence into Portuguese. Translation

The meeting was cancelled, therefore we have a free afternoon.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A reunião foi cancelada, portanto temos a tarde livre.
Which option is best for a very informal chat? Multiple Choice

A gente não tinha grana, ___ ficou em casa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: daí
Match the cause with its logical result. Match Pairs

Match the sentence halves.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
Choose the connector that best emphasizes the cause. Fill in the Blank

O celular dele é antigo e não tira fotos boas, ______ ele quer um novo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: por isso
Correct the formality mistake in this sentence. Error Correction

(To a professor via email) Perdi o arquivo, daí não pude enviar o trabalho.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: (To a professor via email) Perdi o arquivo, por isso não pude enviar o trabalho.
Which sentence uses 'assim' correctly? Multiple Choice

Choose the best sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Primeiro, misture os ovos e o açúcar. Assim, a massa ficará mais fofa.
Translate the following sentence. Translation

He's very busy; so, he probably won't come.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele está muito ocupado, então provavelmente não virá.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

It is better to use 'portanto' or 'consequentemente' in formal writing.

It is very versatile and works in almost all neutral and informal situations.

It is a common filler, similar to 'So...' in English.

They are both formal and interchangeable in most logical deductions.

No, 'porque' is for cause, 'por isso' is for result.

Yes, it is standard to use a comma before these connectors.

Yes, like 'assim', 'dessa forma', 'consequentemente'.

Yes, the logic is the same, though 'portanto' is used more often in speech.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

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Improving

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

por eso / por tanto

The usage of 'entonces' vs 'então' is similar but 'então' is more common as a filler in PT-BR.

French moderate

donc / c'est pourquoi

French structure is more rigid with 'donc'.

German partial

deshalb / darum

Portuguese does not require verb inversion after these connectors.

Japanese low

dakara / sorede

Word order is completely different.

Arabic low

li-dhalika

Arabic is VSO/SVO and uses different connectors.

Chinese partial

suoyi

Chinese does not use commas as strictly as Portuguese.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Expressing Results: So Much That... (Tanto... que)
Next
Connecting Ideas: 'Assim' (So / Thus)

Learn These First

A1 Builds On

Saying 'Because' in Portuguese (Porque vs Por que)

Overview Portuguese offers a nuanced system for expressing cause and reason, notably through four distinct forms involvi...

Continue With

C1 Builds On

Advanced Connectors: Result & Consequence (tão... que, de modo que)

Overview As you advance in Portuguese, moving towards the C1 level, your goal shifts from merely being understood to exp...

Related Grammar Rules

A1

The Conditional 'Se' (If)

Overview The conditional conjunction `se` in Portuguese serves as the direct equivalent of "if" in English, introducing...
C2

Portuguese Verb Regimen: Using the Right Prepositions (Regência Verbal)

Overview Portuguese `Regência Verbal` defines the precise relationship between a verb and its complements. Unlike Englis...
C1

Advanced Connectors: Result & Consequence (tão... que, de modo que)

Overview As you advance in Portuguese, moving towards the C1 level, your goal shifts from merely being understood to exp...
A1

Asking 'Why' in Portuguese (Por que)

Overview Portuguese, like English, requires a precise way to ask "why." For learners at the A1 (Beginner) CEFR level, **...
B1

Por vs. Para: Doing Favors & Swapping

Overview Prepositions like `por` and `para` are fundamental to Portuguese grammar, acting as essential connectors that d...
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