em consequência de

The Portuguese phrase em consequência de is a prepositional locution used to establish a logical, causal link between an event and its outcome. Translated literally as 'in consequence of,' it is the equivalent of the English 'as a result of' or 'due to.' In the hierarchy of Portuguese connectors, this phrase sits firmly in the formal and semi-formal registers. While you might use the simpler 'por causa de' (because of) in a casual conversation with a friend about being late, you would certainly reach for em consequência de when writing a business report, a legal document, or an academic essay. It signals a sophisticated grasp of the language and a desire for precision in describing cause-and-effect relationships.

Grammatical Structure

The phrase is composed of the preposition 'em' (in), the noun 'consequência' (consequence), and the preposition 'de' (of). It must always be followed by a noun phrase or a nominalized verb. Because it ends with the preposition 'de', it will frequently contract with articles that follow it: 'em consequência do' (de + o), 'em consequência da' (de + a), 'em consequência dos' (de + os), or 'em consequência das' (de + as).

This locution is particularly prevalent in journalistic writing. When a news anchor describes the aftermath of a policy change or a natural disaster, em consequência de provides a clear, objective bridge between the trigger and the fallout. It avoids the potentially subjective or emotional weight that words like 'graças a' (thanks to) might carry. It is purely functional and analytical. In a professional context, using this phrase helps to maintain a neutral tone, especially when discussing negative outcomes like financial losses, delays, or structural failures. It allows the speaker to present facts as a sequence of logical events rather than personal failings.

Semantic Nuance

Unlike 'devido a' (due to), which can sometimes imply a more passive attribution, 'em consequência de' strongly emphasizes the 'consequence' aspect—the inevitable following of one thing after another. It implies a chain of events where the second event is a direct result of the first.

Furthermore, the use of this phrase is not limited to physical events. It is equally common in abstract discussions. For instance, in a philosophical or sociological debate, one might argue that certain social behaviors emerge em consequência de historical developments. Here, the phrase acts as a sophisticated tool for synthesizing complex ideas. It allows for the construction of long, articulated sentences that are common in high-level Portuguese literature and discourse. For a B2 learner, mastering this phrase is a significant step toward achieving C1 fluency, as it moves the speaker away from simple sentence structures into the realm of complex subordinating logic.

Register and Audience

Use this with: Professors, bosses, government officials, in news reports, and in formal writing. Avoid using this with: Close friends in a casual bar setting or when speaking to small children, as it may sound overly stiff or robotic.

To use em consequência de correctly, you must treat it as a bridge. On one side, you have the result (the effect), and on the other side, you have the cause. The typical sentence structure is: [Result] + em consequência de + [Cause]. However, Portuguese syntax is flexible; you can also start a sentence with the cause to emphasize it: Em consequência de [Cause], [Result]. When you start a sentence with this phrase, remember to place a comma after the causal clause to ensure the sentence is easy to read and grammatically sound.

The Contraction Rule

One of the most common hurdles for English speakers is the mandatory contraction of the preposition 'de' with the article that follows. You must observe the gender and number of the noun that represents the cause. If the cause is 'o evento' (masculine singular), you say 'em consequência do evento'. If the cause is 'as chuvas' (feminine plural), you say 'em consequência das chuvas'. Failure to contract is a common A2/B1 mistake that B2 learners should avoid.

Another important aspect is the use of verbs. While em consequência de is usually followed by a noun, it can also be followed by an infinitive verb (acting as a noun). For example: 'Em consequência de ter chegado tarde...' (As a result of having arrived late...). This is a more complex structure but very common in formal writing. It allows the speaker to describe an action as the cause rather than just an object or a situation. This flexibility makes the phrase a powerful tool for constructing nuanced arguments in academic or legal contexts.

Placement in the Sentence

While usually found in the middle or at the beginning of a sentence, it can occasionally appear at the end for stylistic emphasis, though this is less common. For example: 'O sistema falhou, em consequência da negligência.' This placement highlights the negligence as the final, definitive reason for the failure.

In comparison to 'por causa de', em consequência de often implies a more objective, almost scientific link. If you say 'Eu estou cansado por causa de você' (I am tired because of you), it sounds personal and perhaps accusatory. If you say 'O cansaço surgiu em consequência de uma noite mal dormida' (The tiredness arose as a result of a poorly slept night), it sounds like an observation of a physical reality. This distinction is vital for learners who wish to navigate the social nuances of Portuguese-speaking cultures, where directness can sometimes be perceived as rudeness.

Common Collocations

You will often see this phrase paired with nouns like 'crise', 'mudança', 'decisão', 'erro', 'acidente', or 'fenômeno'. These pairs help to clarify that the result was not random but a direct byproduct of a significant event.

If you turn on the news in Brazil or Portugal, you are almost guaranteed to hear em consequência de within the first fifteen minutes. It is the 'bread and butter' of journalistic reporting. Journalists use it to link events without sounding biased. For example, 'O trânsito está parado em consequência de um acidente na ponte' (Traffic is stopped as a result of an accident on the bridge). This usage is so standard that it almost fades into the background, providing a structural skeleton for the day's events. In this context, it functions as a signal of objectivity and professionalism.

The Legal and Administrative World

In the legal sphere, precision is paramount. A lawyer or a judge will use this phrase to describe the legal ramifications of an action. 'Em consequência do descumprimento do contrato, a multa será aplicada' (As a result of the breach of contract, the fine will be applied). Here, the phrase isn't just descriptive; it's prescriptive. It establishes the legal basis for a consequence. If you are dealing with any kind of bureaucracy in a Portuguese-speaking country—applying for a visa, dealing with taxes, or signing a rental agreement—you will see this phrase in the fine print.

Academic environments also rely heavily on this phrase. Whether it's a history professor explaining the fall of an empire or a biology student describing the results of an experiment, em consequência de provides the necessary logical connective tissue. In university lectures, you'll hear it used to summarize findings or to transition between a cause and its observed effect. It allows researchers to state their conclusions with a high degree of formality, which is expected in Lusophone academia. For international students studying in Lisbon, São Paulo, or Coimbra, being able to recognize and use this phrase is essential for both comprehension and producing high-quality written work.

Corporate and Business Contexts

In the corporate world, this phrase appears in quarterly reports, strategy meetings, and performance reviews. It is used to justify decisions or explain market shifts. For example, 'As ações da empresa subiram em consequência da fusão bem-sucedida' (The company's shares rose as a result of the successful merger). It provides a level of professional distance that 'por causa de' lacks, making it ideal for discussing sensitive financial or strategic matters.

Even in literature, specifically in more formal or classical styles, authors use this phrase to weave intricate plots where every action has a clear, often tragic, reaction. It adds a sense of inevitability to the narrative. While modern, colloquial novels might avoid it in favor of shorter sentences, it remains a staple of high literary Portuguese. Understanding this phrase allows a reader to appreciate the logical flow of a narrative and the intentionality behind a character's fate. It is more than just a connector; it is a tool for storytelling that emphasizes the weight of history and choice.

One of the most frequent errors made by intermediate learners is forgetting the preposition de. You cannot simply say 'em consequência o evento'. The de is the glue that connects the word 'consequência' to the following noun. Without it, the sentence becomes ungrammatical and confusing. Always remember that 'consequência' requires a complement, and that complement is introduced by 'de'. This mistake often stems from translating directly from English 'consequently', which is an adverb and doesn't require a preposition, whereas em consequência de is a prepositional locution.

Confusion with 'Consequentemente'

Learners often confuse 'em consequência de' (prepositional phrase) with 'consequentemente' (adverb). 'Consequentemente' is used to start a new independent clause: 'Choveu muito; consequentemente, o rio transbordou.' (It rained a lot; consequently, the river overflowed). In contrast, 'em consequência de' must be followed by a noun: 'O rio transbordou em consequência da chuva.' You cannot use them interchangeably without changing the whole structure of your sentence.

Another common pitfall is the incorrect use of contractions. As mentioned before, 'de' plus 'o' must become 'do', 'de' plus 'a' must become 'da', and so on. Learners often keep them separate ('em consequência de o...'), which is only correct in very specific grammatical circumstances involving infinitive verbs (e.g., 'em consequência de o governo decidir...'), but even then, it's a point of debate among grammarians. For the vast majority of cases, contracting is the standard and expected way to write and speak. Forgetting to contract makes you sound like a beginner or someone who is translating word-for-word from English.

Misusing Register

Using 'em consequência de' in a very casual setting can make you sound pretentious or 'over-educated' for the situation. If you are at a party and say 'Eu derrubei minha bebida em consequência de alguém ter me empurrado', people might look at you funny. In that context, 'porque alguém me empurrou' or 'por causa do empurrão' is much more natural. Learning when NOT to use a formal phrase is just as important as learning how to use it.

Finally, ensure that there is a clear causal link. Sometimes learners use em consequência de when they really just mean 'after' (após) or 'during' (durante). If Event B didn't happen specifically because of Event A, using this phrase is logically incorrect. For example, 'Ele almoçou em consequência de ter acordado' is technically true but logically weak, as waking up doesn't directly cause lunch in a meaningful way. Save this phrase for strong, direct causal relationships where the effect is a clear result of the cause.

Portuguese is a rich language with many ways to express causality. Depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey, you might choose an alternative to em consequência de. The most common alternative is 'devido a'. It is slightly less formal than 'em consequência de' but still very appropriate for professional settings. It also requires contraction with articles: 'devido ao', 'devido à', etc. 'Devido a' is often used when the cause is a specific condition or circumstance rather than a grand event.

Comparison: Em consequência de vs. Em razão de

'Em razão de' is virtually synonymous with 'em consequência de' and is used in the same formal registers, especially in legal and administrative contexts. It literally means 'by reason of'. While 'em consequência de' emphasizes the result, 'em razão de' emphasizes the underlying logic or justification for the outcome. They are often interchangeable in writing to avoid repetition.

For positive outcomes, you might use 'graças a' (thanks to). Using 'em consequência de' for a positive event can sometimes sound a bit cold or overly clinical. If you want to show gratitude or highlight a beneficial cause, 'graças a' is the better choice. For example: 'Graças ao seu apoio, conseguimos terminar o projeto' (Thanks to your support, we managed to finish the project). Conversely, using 'graças a' for a negative event is usually done sarcastically: 'Graças ao seu atraso, perdemos o trem' (Thanks to your lateness, we missed the train).

Comparison: Por causa de vs. Em consequência de

'Por causa de' is the everyday workhorse of the Portuguese language. It is informal to neutral. If you are learning the language, you will use this 90% of the time in conversation. 'Em consequência de' is for the other 10% when you need to impress or follow formal writing standards. Think of 'por causa de' as a t-shirt and 'em consequência de' as a suit.

Finally, consider 'em virtude de'. This is another high-level alternative, similar to 'by virtue of' in English. It is very common in formal speeches and high-end journalism. It suggests that the result came about because of a specific quality or power inherent in the cause. For example: 'Em virtude de sua vasta experiência, ela foi escolhida para o cargo' (By virtue of her vast experience, she was chosen for the position). Using a variety of these expressions will make your Portuguese sound more natural and less like a textbook translation.