Discourse connectors: relation, scope and speaker commitment
CEFR B2
What you will learn
- Select a connector that states the intended addition, cause, consequence, contrast or reformulation.
- Control connector position, punctuation and the propositions within its scope.
- Choose indicative or subjunctive in concessive links according to speaker commitment.
The idea
Before choosing a polished expression, write the logical relation in plain language: adds another reason, gives the cause, derives a consequence, concedes an obstacle, contrasts two subjects or reformulates an idea. Near-synonyms do not always share syntax or scope. “Porque” introduces a cause inside a sentence; “por lo tanto” normally presents a consequence as a separate discourse move.
“El modelo es barato; sin embargo, consume mucha energía” blocks an expected conclusion: low price does not guarantee overall convenience. “Este modelo es barato; en cambio, el otro consume poca energía” contrasts different properties or subjects.
A counterargument keeps both propositions true. It does not cancel the first one.
Aunque: factual commitment and open concession
| speaker frame | mood | model |
|---|---|---|
| the obstacle is asserted as factual | indicative | Aunque llueve, salimos. |
| the obstacle is possible or not yet settled | subjunctive | Aunque llueva mañana, saldremos. |
| the obstacle is known but dismissed as irrelevant | subjunctive can create a concessive echo | Aunque sea caro, ya lo hemos elegido. |
| completed factual obstacle | indicative | Aunque llegó tarde, participó. |
The factual/non-factual contrast is central, but discourse stance can make both moods possible with different readings. Do not assign a fixed probability percentage.
How it sounds
- No solo redujo el coste, sino que también mejoró el plazo.
- Faltaba una firma; por consiguiente, aplazaron el envío.
- Aunque parece sencillo, exige precisión.
Your turn
Two or three, to check that the bit above landed.
Use the sales rise and profit fall. Las ventas subieron; ___, el beneficio bajó.
sin embargo — The second proposition blocks the expected positive consequence of higher sales. Sin embargo marks that counterargument without cancelling either fact.
Use the failure followed by a new test. El sistema falló; ___, se repitió la prueba.
en consecuencia — The repeated test follows as a result of the system failure. En consecuencia states that cause-to-result direction.
Use the still-unsettled future price and the present subjunctive. Aunque la propuesta ___ cara mañana, la consideraremos. (resultar)
resulte — Mañana and the unsettled price frame the obstacle as a future possibility, not an asserted fact. Aunque therefore introduces present subjunctive resulte.
What your own language pushes you to say
Wrong Se agotó la batería; porque se apagó el sensor.
Right Se agotó la batería; por lo tanto, se apagó el sensor.
With the intended direction, battery loss is the cause and sensor shutdown is the result. Porque would reverse or fragment that relation.
Once it makes sense
When to use the subjunctive: assertion, reaction and pending eventsThe imperfect and pluperfect subjunctive: distance, sequence and unreal framesWord order and information structure: topic, focus and clitic links