Linking words of result: So and therefore
We can use 'so' and 'therefore' to talk about the result of something. 'So' usually goes in the middle of
the sentence and 'therefore' goes at the beginning of a new sentence. 'Therefore' is more formal than
'so'.
• It was raining, so I stayed at home.
• It was raining. Therefore, I stayed at home.
We can't put the clause of the result with 'so' or 'therefore' before the clause that explains why.
• NOT: So I stayed at home, it was raining.
The meaning is the same as using 'because' with the other clause.
• Because it was raining, I stayed at home.
Here are some more examples.
• She was tired so she went to bed early.
• The train was delayed. Therefore, we were late for the meeting.
• We were hungry so we stopped for a snack.
• The children were muddy. Therefore, they had a bath.
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Let's review! Change the sentences so that they include 'so' or 'therefore' and not 'because'.
1. Because she was hungry, she had lunch early. (so)
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2. Because it was freezing weather, we stayed inside. (therefore)
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3. Because the house was dirty, he cleaned it. (so)
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4. Because the book was really boring, we didn't finish it. (therefore)
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5. Because it was raining, they took their raincoats. (so)
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6. Because she studied hard, she got an excellent mark in the exam. (therefore)
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7. Because we stayed up late, we were tired in the morning. (so)
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8. Because I planted daffodil bulbs in the autumn, I had flowers in the spring. (so)
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9. Because he saved his money for years, he was able to buy a flat. (therefore)
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10. Because I've had too much coffee today, I feel anxious. (so)
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May be freely copied for personal or classroom use.
Answers
1. She was hungry so she had lunch early.
2. It was freezing weather. Therefore, we stayed inside.
3. The house was dirty so he cleaned it.
4. The book was really boring. Therefore, we didn't finish it.
5. It was raining so they took their raincoats.
6. She studied hard. Therefore, she got an excellent mark in the exam.
7. We stayed up late so we were tired in the morning.
8. I planted daffodil bulbs in the autumn so I had flowers in the spring.
9. He saved his money for years. Therefore, he was able to buy a flat.
10. I've had too much coffee today so I feel anxious.
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May be freely copied for personal or classroom use.
