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AdvancedDiscourse Connectors
How ideas are linked across sentences and paragraphs in Spanish, English and Chinese.
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Discourse connectors show relationships between chunks of text: addition, contrast, cause, sequence. Spanish and English share many Latinate connectors. Chinese uses both explicit connectors and implicit cohesion through topic continuity.
Overview
Discourse connectors organize text above the sentence level, showing how ideas relate.
- Spanish: Rich Latinate connector inventory. Many are multi-word phrases (por lo tanto, a pesar de eso). Register variation is significant (formal no obstante vs colloquial o sea).
- English: Mix of Germanic and Latinate connectors. Academic style prefers single-word Latinate forms (however, therefore) over phrasal Germanic ones (even so, because of that).
- Chinese: Connectors can be explicit (而且, 然而, 因此) or implicit (topic continuity, zero anaphora). Paired structures (虽然…但是, 因为…所以) are common.
Spanish
Addition
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| además | neutral | Además, es barato. |
| es más | informal | Es más, ni siquiera lo intentó. |
| por otra parte | formal | Por otra parte, debemos considerar… |
| también | neutral | También es cierto que… |
| así como | formal | Así como otros han dicho… |
Contrast
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sin embargo | formal | Sin embargo, no es tan fácil. |
| no obstante | very formal | No obstante, persistió. |
| a pesar de eso | neutral | A pesar de eso, siguió adelante. |
| por el contrario | formal | Por el contrario, creo que… |
| en cambio | neutral | Ella sí vino; él, en cambio, no. |
| aunque | subordinate | Aunque llueva, saldré. |
| pero | coordinate | Es caro, pero bueno. |
Cause / result
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| por lo tanto | formal | Por lo tanto, debemos actuar. |
| por consiguiente | very formal | Por consiguiente, fue despedido. |
| en consecuencia | formal | En consecuencia, perdió el juicio. |
| así que | informal | Así que no pude ir. |
| por eso | neutral | Por eso me fui. |
| entonces | neutral | Entonces, ¿qué hacemos? |
| de modo que | formal | De modo que todo quedó claro. |
Exemplification
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| por ejemplo | neutral | Por ejemplo, en España… |
| por instancia | rare/archaic | Por instancia, veamos… |
| a modo de ejemplo | formal | A modo de ejemplo, citaré… |
| tal como | formal | Tal como dijo el presidente… |
Reformulation
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| es decir | neutral | Es decir, no podemos seguir. |
| o sea | informal | O sea, ¿que no vienes? |
| en otras palabras | formal | En otras palabras, fracasó. |
| dicho de otra manera | formal | Dicho de otra manera… |
Conclusion
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| en conclusión | formal | En conclusión, el plan funciona. |
| en resumen | formal | En resumen, son tres puntos. |
| para concluir | formal | Para concluir, quiero agradecer… |
| en definitiva | formal | En definitiva, no hay solución. |
| al fin y al cabo | informal | Al fin y al cabo, somos amigos. |
| en fin | neutral | En fin, ya veremos. |
Emphasis / clarification
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| de hecho | neutral | De hecho, nunca lo supe. |
| en realidad | neutral | En realidad, no es así. |
| en efecto | formal | En efecto, así ocurrió. |
| de verdad | informal | De verdad, te lo juro. |
| la verdad es que | informal | La verdad es que no sé. |
English
Addition
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| furthermore | formal | Furthermore, the data show… |
| moreover | formal | Moreover, this is not unique. |
| in addition | formal | In addition, we must consider… |
| besides | neutral | Besides, it’s too late. |
| also | neutral | Also, it is cheaper. |
| what’s more | informal | What’s more, he didn’t apologize. |
| on top of that | informal | On top of that, it rained. |
Contrast
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| however | formal | However, this is not proven. |
| nevertheless | formal | Nevertheless, she persisted. |
| nonetheless | formal | Nonetheless, we must try. |
| yet | formal/literary | Yet he remained calm. |
| still | neutral | Still, it’s worth considering. |
| even so | neutral | Even so, I disagree. |
| on the contrary | formal | On the contrary, I think… |
| conversely | formal | Conversely, some argue… |
| whereas | formal | Whereas X claims, Y believes… |
Cause / result
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| therefore | formal | Therefore, we conclude… |
| thus | formal | Thus, the theory holds. |
| hence | formal | Hence, the discrepancy. |
| consequently | formal | Consequently, he resigned. |
| as a result | neutral | As a result, sales fell. |
| accordingly | formal | Accordingly, we adjusted. |
| so | informal | So I left. |
| that’s why | informal | That’s why I’m here. |
Exemplification
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| for example | neutral | For example, in 2010… |
| for instance | neutral | For instance, consider… |
| e.g. | formal/written | Many countries, e.g., France… |
| such as | neutral | Sports such as tennis… |
| in particular | formal | In particular, I mean… |
| specifically | formal | Specifically, I refer to… |
| namely | formal | Three countries, namely… |
Reformulation
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in other words | neutral | In other words, it’s impossible. |
| that is | formal | The first step, that is, planning. |
| i.e. | formal/written | The main author, i.e., Smith. |
| to put it another way | informal | To put it another way… |
| or rather | neutral | He was early, or rather, on time. |
Conclusion
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in conclusion | formal | In conclusion, we have shown… |
| in summary | formal | In summary, there are three points. |
| to sum up | neutral | To sum up, it’s complicated. |
| ultimately | formal | Ultimately, the choice is yours. |
| all in all | informal | All in all, it was good. |
| at the end of the day | informal | At the end of the day, we tried. |
Emphasis / clarification
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| indeed | formal | Indeed, the results confirm this. |
| in fact | neutral | In fact, he never said that. |
| actually | neutral | Actually, I disagree. |
| as a matter of fact | informal | As a matter of fact, I do. |
| to tell the truth | informal | To tell the truth, I’m tired. |
Sequencing
| Connector | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| first(ly) | formal | Firstly, we need data. |
| second(ly) | formal | Secondly, we must analyze. |
| next | neutral | Next, we examine… |
| then | neutral | Then we realized… |
| finally | neutral | Finally, we conclude. |
| lastly | formal | Lastly, I want to thank… |
| meanwhile | neutral | Meanwhile, back at the ranch… |
| subsequently | formal | Subsequently, changes were made. |
Chinese
Addition
| Connector | Pinyin | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 而且 | érqiě | neutral | 而且，它还很便宜。 |
| 此外 | cǐwài | formal | 此外，我们还要考虑… |
| 再说 | zàishuō | informal | 再说，太晚了。 |
| 还有 | háiyǒu | neutral | 还有，这个很重要。 |
| 并且 | bìngqiě | formal | 并且，数据表明… |
Contrast
| Connector | Pinyin | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 但是 | dànshì | neutral | 但是，这还没有证明。 |
| 不过 | bùguò | neutral | 不过，我觉得… |
| 然而 | ránér | formal | 然而，问题还在。 |
| 可是 | kěshì | neutral | 可是，他没有来。 |
| 相反 | xiāngfǎn | formal | 相反，我认为… |
| 另一方面 | lìngyīfāngmiàn | formal | 另一方面… |
Cause / result
| Connector | Pinyin | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 因此 | yīncǐ | formal | 因此，我们得出结论。 |
| 所以 | suǒyǐ | neutral | 所以，他辞职了。 |
| 于是 | yúshì | neutral | 于是，我走了。 |
| 结果 | jiéguǒ | neutral | 结果，销售下降了。 |
| 从而 | cóngér | formal | 从而实现目标。 |
Exemplification
| Connector | Pinyin | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 例如 | lìrú | formal | 例如，在中国… |
| 比如 | bǐrú | neutral | 比如，考虑… |
| 举例来说 | jǔlìláishuō | formal | 举例来说… |
| 比方说 | bǐfāngshuō | informal | 比方说… |
Reformulation
| Connector | Pinyin | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 换句话说 | huànjùhuàshuō | neutral | 换句话说… |
| 也就是说 | yějiùshìshuō | neutral | 也就是说… |
| 换言之 | huànyánzhī | formal | 换言之… |
Conclusion
| Connector | Pinyin | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 总之 | zǒngzhī | neutral | 总之… |
| 总的来说 | zǒngdeláishuō | neutral | 总的来说… |
| 最后 | zuìhòu | neutral | 最后… |
| 综上所述 | zōngshàngsuǒshù | very formal | 综上所述… |
Emphasis / clarification
| Connector | Pinyin | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 其实 | qíshí | neutral | 其实… |
| 事实上 | shìshíshàng | formal | 事实上… |
| 的确 | díquè | neutral | 的确… |
| 说实话 | shuōshíhuà | informal | 说实话… |
Implicit cohesion
Chinese often omits connectors when topic continuity is clear:
- 昨天下雨。今天也下。(It rained yesterday. [And] today it’s raining too. — connector omitted)
- 他很聪明。学习也很好。(He’s smart. [And] he studies well too.)
Comparison at a glance
| Function | Spanish | English | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition | además / es más | furthermore / moreover | 而且 / 此外 |
| Contrast | sin embargo / no obstante | however / nevertheless | 但是 / 然而 |
| Result | por lo tanto / así que | therefore / thus | 因此 / 所以 |
| Example | por ejemplo | for example / for instance | 例如 / 比如 |
| Reformulation | es decir / o sea | in other words / that is | 换句话说 / 也就是说 |
| Conclusion | en conclusión | in conclusion / to sum up | 总之 / 总的来说 |
| Emphasis | de hecho / en realidad | indeed / in fact | 其实 / 事实上 |
| Sequence | primero / entonces / finalmente | firstly / then / finally | 首先 / 然后 / 最后 |
Examples in context
However, this is not proven
- ES: Sin embargo, esto no está probado.
- EN: However, this is not proven.
- ZH: 但是，这还没有证明。
Therefore, we must act
- ES: Por lo tanto, debemos actuar.
- EN: Therefore, we must act.
- ZH: 因此，我们必须行动。
In other words, it’s impossible
- ES: En otras palabras, es imposible. / Es decir, es imposible.
- EN: In other words, it’s impossible.
- ZH: 换句话说，这是不可能的。
Common mistakes
-
Spanish speakers learning English: Literal translation: Por lo tanto → For the so → Therefore
-
English speakers learning Spanish: Omitting commas around connector: Sin embargo no es cierto → Sin embargo*,** no es cierto*
-
English speakers learning Chinese: Overusing connectors: Chinese often omits them when topic is continuous
-
Chinese speakers learning English: Using informal connectors in academic writing: So, we must act → Therefore, we must act
Related topics
- Conjunctions: How sentence-level connectors work
- Word Order: How connectors fit into sentence structure
- Formal vs Informal: How register affects connector choice
- Topic-Comment: How Chinese uses implicit cohesion
Examples
Furthermore / Moreover
además / es más / por otra parte
However / Nevertheless
sin embargo / no obstante / a pesar de eso
Therefore / Thus
por lo tanto / por consiguiente / en consecuencia
For example
por ejemplo / por instancia / a modo de ejemplo
In other words
en otras palabras / es decir / o sea
On the one hand... on the other hand
por un lado... por otro lado
In conclusion
en conclusión / en resumen / para concluir
Actually / In fact
de hecho / en realidad / en efecto
Examples
Furthermore / Moreover
furthermore / moreover / in addition / besides
However / Nevertheless
however / nevertheless / nonetheless / yet
Therefore / Thus
therefore / thus / hence / consequently / as a result
For example
for example / for instance / e.g. / such as
In other words
in other words / that is / i.e. / namely
On the one hand... on the other hand
on the one hand... on the other hand
In conclusion
in conclusion / in summary / to sum up / ultimately
Actually / In fact
actually / in fact / as a matter of fact / indeed
Examples
Furthermore / Moreover
此外 / 而且 / 再说
However / Nevertheless
但是 / 不过 / 然而
Therefore / Thus
因此 / 所以 / 于是
For example
例如 / 比如 / 举例来说
In other words
换句话说 / 也就是说
On the one hand... on the other hand
一方面...另一方面
In conclusion
总之 / 总的来说 / 最后
Actually / In fact
其实 / 事实上 / 的确
Comparison at a glance
| Grammar concepts | Spanish | English | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furthermore / Moreover | además / es más / por otra parte | furthermore / moreover / in addition / besides | 此外 / 而且 / 再说 |
| However / Nevertheless | sin embargo / no obstante / a pesar de eso | however / nevertheless / nonetheless / yet | 但是 / 不过 / 然而 |
| Therefore / Thus | por lo tanto / por consiguiente / en consecuencia | therefore / thus / hence / consequently / as a result | 因此 / 所以 / 于是 |
| For example | por ejemplo / por instancia / a modo de ejemplo | for example / for instance / e.g. / such as | 例如 / 比如 / 举例来说 |
| In other words | en otras palabras / es decir / o sea | in other words / that is / i.e. / namely | 换句话说 / 也就是说 |
| On the one hand... on the other hand | por un lado... por otro lado | on the one hand... on the other hand | 一方面...另一方面 |
| In conclusion | en conclusión / en resumen / para concluir | in conclusion / in summary / to sum up / ultimately | 总之 / 总的来说 / 最后 |
| Actually / In fact | de hecho / en realidad / en efecto | actually / in fact / as a matter of fact / indeed | 其实 / 事实上 / 的确 |
Select at least one language to view comparisons
Side-by-side comparison
| Grammar concepts | Spanish | English | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furthermore / Moreover | además / es más / por otra parte | furthermore / moreover / in addition / besides | 此外 / 而且 / 再说 |
| However / Nevertheless | sin embargo / no obstante / a pesar de eso | however / nevertheless / nonetheless / yet | 但是 / 不过 / 然而 |
| Therefore / Thus | por lo tanto / por consiguiente / en consecuencia | therefore / thus / hence / consequently / as a result | 因此 / 所以 / 于是 |
| For example | por ejemplo / por instancia / a modo de ejemplo | for example / for instance / e.g. / such as | 例如 / 比如 / 举例来说 |
| In other words | en otras palabras / es decir / o sea | in other words / that is / i.e. / namely | 换句话说 / 也就是说 |
| On the one hand... on the other hand | por un lado... por otro lado | on the one hand... on the other hand | 一方面...另一方面 |
| In conclusion | en conclusión / en resumen / para concluir | in conclusion / in summary / to sum up / ultimately | 总之 / 总的来说 / 最后 |
| Actually / In fact | de hecho / en realidad / en efecto | actually / in fact / as a matter of fact / indeed | 其实 / 事实上 / 的确 |
Select at least one language to view comparisons
Examples in context
Furthermore / Moreover
Spanish
además / es más / por otra parte
English
furthermore / moreover / in addition / besides
Chinese
此外 / 而且 / 再说
However / Nevertheless
Spanish
sin embargo / no obstante / a pesar de eso
English
however / nevertheless / nonetheless / yet
Chinese
但是 / 不过 / 然而
Therefore / Thus
Spanish
por lo tanto / por consiguiente / en consecuencia
English
therefore / thus / hence / consequently / as a result
Chinese
因此 / 所以 / 于是
For example
Spanish
por ejemplo / por instancia / a modo de ejemplo
English
for example / for instance / e.g. / such as
Chinese
例如 / 比如 / 举例来说
In other words
Spanish
en otras palabras / es decir / o sea
English
in other words / that is / i.e. / namely
Chinese
换句话说 / 也就是说
On the one hand... on the other hand
Spanish
por un lado... por otro lado
English
on the one hand... on the other hand
Chinese
一方面...另一方面
In conclusion
Spanish
en conclusión / en resumen / para concluir
English
in conclusion / in summary / to sum up / ultimately
Chinese
总之 / 总的来说 / 最后
Actually / In fact
Spanish
de hecho / en realidad / en efecto
English
actually / in fact / as a matter of fact / indeed
Chinese
其实 / 事实上 / 的确
Select at least one language to view comparisons
Key Takeaways
Spanish: Rich Latinate connector inventory. Many are multi-word phrases (por lo tanto, a pesar de eso). Register variation is significant (formal no ...
English: Mix of Germanic and Latinate connectors. Academic style prefers single-word Latinate forms (however, therefore) over phrasal Germanic ones (...
Chinese: Connectors can be explicit (而ér且qiě, 然rán而ér, 因yīn此cǐ) or implicit (topic continuity, zero anaphora). Paired structures (虽suī然rán...但dàn是shì...
Key concepts compared: Furthermore / Moreover, However / Nevertheless, Therefore / Thus.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026