What you’ll learn
- Distinguish a cause from a consequence.
- Use contrast and concession in clear indicative examples.
- Organize a paragraph with an opening, development and conclusion.
Name the relationship
Porque introduces a cause: Llegué tarde porque perdí el autobús. Por eso introduces a consequence: Perdí el autobús; por eso llegué tarde. The facts can be similar, but their order and relationship differ. Además adds another supporting point rather than a cause, while primero and después organize a sequence.
A connector should help the reader follow the reasoning. Adding sin embargo between unrelated sentences does not create a meaningful contrast. Before choosing a word, say the relationship in plain English: this explains why, this happened next, or this adds another reason. Then select the Spanish expression that fits.
Estudio cada día porque quiero mejorar.
I study every day because I want to improve.
No tenía tiempo; por eso fui en taxi.
I had no time; therefore I went by taxi.
El barrio es tranquilo. Además, está cerca del centro.
The neighborhood is quiet. In addition, it is near the center.
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Make contrast and concessions readable
Pero connects a direct contrast, while sin embargo can introduce a contrasting sentence or clause. Aunque introduces a concession: Aunque llueve, vamos a salir presents the rain as a known obstacle that does not stop the plan. Other aunque constructions use the subjunctive with different viewpoints; this lesson uses the explicit known-fact pattern.
A readable paragraph needs more than connectors. Begin with a main idea, add relevant support and close with a conclusion or next step. Replace an unclear pronoun, split an overloaded sentence and remove connectors that repeat the same job. En resumen can mark a concise conclusion, but the conclusion must follow from the details.
El libro es largo, pero se lee fácilmente.
The book is long, but it reads easily.
Aunque llueve, salimos con paraguas.
Although it is raining, we go out with umbrellas.
En resumen, prefiero la segunda opción.
In summary, I prefer the second option.
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Useful vocabulary
- por eso
- therefore / for that reason
- sin embargo
- however
- además
- in addition
Common mistakes
- Porque gives a reason; por eso introduces a result.
- Use a connector only when the ideas actually have that relationship.
- A long sentence is not automatically a better sentence.
Keep these ideas
- Choose a connector by the relationship between ideas.
- Separate causes, results, contrasts and added points.
- Revise the paragraph's structure as well as its grammar.
Use it in your life
Write a five-sentence response to a story. State a view, give a reason, add a detail, acknowledge a contrast and conclude.
Read it in context
Look for this lesson’s ideas in a complete Spanish story. Read the passage first, then use its translations to check your understanding.
Read a public B1 storyLesson quiz
5 equally weighted questions. Score 80% or higher to complete this lesson. You can retry as often as you need.
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