15 Other Ways to Say “So” (With Examples)

The word “so” is a common connector, but relying on it too heavily can make your writing or speech sound repetitive. English offers a rich vocabulary of transition words and phrases that can convey cause, effect, or logical consequence with greater precision and elegance.

Choosing the right alternative to “so” allows you to build stronger arguments, explain relationships more clearly, and enhance the overall flow of your communication. Let’s explore 15 other ways to say “so” that express logical conclusions and results.

What Can I Say Instead of “So”?

1. Thus
2. Therefore
3. Hence
4. Consequently
5. As a result
6. Thereby
7. Accordingly
8. In that case
9. Then
10. For that reason
11. Due to this
12. Because of that
13. In consequence
14. That being so
15. On that account

1. Thus

Thus indicates a logical conclusion or result, often carrying a formal or academic tone. It’s best suited for written or structured discussions, like essays, reports, or professional contexts where clarity and precision are paramount. When you use thus, you emphasize a clear, reasoned outcome that directly stems from previously stated information. It’s perfect for situations requiring a polished, logical transition to a result.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your friend is analyzing a budget and shares their findings. You could say: “Thus, based on our spending patterns, we should cut dining expenses.”
• Imagine your colleague is explaining an unexpected project delay. You might say: “Thus, to stay on track, we’ll need to reschedule the launch by two weeks.”

2. Therefore

Therefore signals a direct conclusion based on clear evidence or reasoning. It’s a versatile word, suitable for professional presentations, academic arguments, or even more structured everyday conversations. Using therefore highlights a strong, logical cause-and-effect relationship, allowing you to sound confident and reasoned in your conclusions.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your sibling is planning a trip and checks the weather forecast, which predicts rain. You could say: “Therefore, it looks like we should definitely pack an umbrella!”
• Imagine your team is discussing unexpectedly low sales figures. You might say: “Therefore, we clearly need to devise a new marketing strategy.”

3. Hence

Hence conveys a result or inference, often with a slightly formal or even literary tone. It’s a concise and sophisticated choice, ideal for essays, speeches, or more formal professional emails where you want to sound articulate and conclusive. Using hence suggests a logical outcome with a touch of elegance, creating a smooth and compelling transition.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your friend has been avoiding caffeine and feels unusually tired. You could say: “Hence, it might be a good idea to try some herbal tea instead of coffee.”
• Imagine your coworker is reviewing a report and spots inconsistencies. You might say: “Hence, we should probably revise the data in this section to ensure accuracy.”

4. Consequently

Consequently emphasizes a result that follows naturally and directly from a preceding cause. It carries a formal, cause-and-effect tone, making it perfect for business analyses, academic papers, or detailed analytical discussions. Using consequently underscores a direct and often inevitable outcome with precision and logic, highlighting the strong connection between events.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your cousin consistently skips breakfast and then feels hungry mid-morning. You could say: “Consequently, you should grab a quick snack now to hold you over.”
• Imagine your team misses a crucial project deadline. You might say: “Consequently, we’ll unfortunately have to work overtime this week to catch up.”

5. As a result

As a result clearly states an outcome caused by prior actions or conditions. It has a straightforward and neutral tone, making it highly versatile and fitting for both casual conversations and formal reports. When you use it as a result, you simply and effectively emphasize a clear, causal link without adding any overly formal or complex nuances.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your friend studies late into the night and feels exhausted the next day. You could say: “As a result, you really need to take a nap today to recover.”
• Imagine your colleague overlooked an important email. You might say: “As a result, we unfortunately missed the crucial update regarding the client meeting.”

Related Post: 15 Other Ways to Say According To (With Examples)

6. Thereby

Thereby indicates the means through which a specific result is achieved. It often has a formal or technical tone, commonly found in legal documents, scientific writing, or detailed academic explanations. Using thereby highlights the method or process that directly leads to an outcome, allowing you to sound meticulous and professional in your explanation.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your sibling joins a new gym and starts working out regularly. You could say: “Thereby, you’ll significantly boost your energy levels and overall fitness.”
• Imagine your team adopts new project management software. You might say: “Thereby, we’ll save a substantial amount of time on task coordination.”

7. Accordingly

Accordingly suggests an action or result that aligns logically with prior information or circumstances. It carries a formal and clear tone, making it ideal for business communications, policy statements, or academic arguments where rational and organized thinking is valued. When you use it accordingly, you emphasize an appropriate action taken in response to a given situation.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your friend checks a store’s hours online and finds it’s closed for the day. You could say: “Accordingly, let’s go tomorrow instead.”
• Imagine your coworker notes a significant budget cut for the upcoming quarter. You might say: “Accordingly, we’ll need to reduce our operational costs across the board.”

8. In that case

In that case introduces a response or conclusion that is directly based on a specific situation or new piece of information. It’s highly conversational and casual, making it flexible and friendly for informal chats or quick, spontaneous decisions. Using in that case feels like a natural, situational pivot to a new plan or understanding, allowing you to adapt gracefully to new information.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your cousin calls to say they can’t make it to dinner tonight. You could say: “In that case, let’s do brunch together this weekend instead!”
• Imagine your teammate tells you the morning meeting has been canceled. You might say: “In that case, I’ll use the extra time to finish up that report.”

9. Then

Then indicates a logical next step or consequence in a simple and direct manner. It’s concise and highly versatile, fitting seamlessly into both casual conversations and more formal instructions or explanations. Using then suggests a straightforward, sequential outcome or action, providing clear, no-fuss conclusions without any added complexity.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your friend forgets their jacket and it’s suddenly cold outside. You could say: “Then, you should borrow mine for now.”
• Imagine your colleague says they can’t find a particular file. You might say: “Then, I’ll resend it to you right now.”

10. For that reason

For that reason explicitly ties a conclusion to a specific cause, making the connection very clear. It carries a clear, slightly formal tone, ideal for debates, professional emails, or detailed explanations where you need to justify an outcome. Using for that reason emphasizes a direct, justified outcome, allowing you to sound reasoned and deliberate in your statements.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your sibling consistently avoids spicy food because it upsets their stomach. You could say: “For that reason, you should really stick to mild flavors when ordering.”
• Imagine your team faces an unexpected delay in a project due to unforeseen circumstances. You might say: “For that reason, we’ll need to adjust the project timeline accordingly.”

Related Post: 15 Other Ways to Say “Due to” (With Examples)

11. Due to this

Due to this points directly to a specific cause for a particular result. It carries a formal, explanatory tone, making it well-suited for written reports, formal emails, or professional communications where you need to provide a clear reason for an outcome. Using due to this highlights a direct causal relationship with a sense of authority and precision.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your friend misses a bus and, as a result, is late for an appointment. You could say: “Due to this, perhaps we should carpool together next time to avoid delays.”
• Imagine your coworker notes a recurring system error. You might say: “Due to this, we will need to schedule a major software update this week.”

12. Because of that

Because of that, links a result to a cause in a conversational and straightforward way. It’s simple and relatable, making it suitable for casual chats or quick, informal updates. When you use because of that, it feels like a natural, easy explanation of consequences, perfect for everyday scenarios where you need to provide clear reasoning without formality.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your cousin skips lunch and then feels dizzy later in the afternoon. You could say: “Because of that, you really should eat a snack right now.”
• Imagine your teammate forgets about a scheduled meeting. You might say: “Because of that, I’ll send out a reminder email for all future meetings.”

13. In consequence

In consequence emphasizes a result that follows logically and inevitably from a preceding cause. It carries a formal, academic tone, making it precise and intellectual, ideal for scholarly essays, research papers, or professional analyses. Using in consequence underscores an undeniable outcome with a touch of sophistication, suitable for highly authoritative discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your friend overworks themselves constantly and feels perpetually stressed. You could say: “In consequence, you really need to take a proper break today to decompress.”
• Imagine your team misjudges a significant market trend. You might say: “In consequence, we’ll need to fundamentally rethink our entire strategic plan.”

14. That being so

That being so acknowledges a situation or fact as true and then draws a conclusion based on that acknowledgment. It carries a formal, reflective tone, making it thoughtful and precise. This phrase is great for written arguments, structured discussions, or when you want to make a deliberate, reasoned transition to a result. It implies careful consideration before reaching a conclusion.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your sibling genuinely can’t attend a family party due to an unavoidable work commitment. You could say: “That being so, let’s plan to host a special gathering just for them later.”
• Imagine your colleague notes a significant budget issue has arisen. You might say: “That being so, we’ll have no choice but to implement immediate cost-cutting measures.”

15. On that account

On that account, links a result to a specific reason, often carrying a formal, slightly traditional tone. It’s clear and deliberate, commonly found in formal emails, reports, or official correspondence. Using that account emphasizes a justified outcome with a touch of formality, making it perfect for situations where you want to sound precise and professional in explaining a decision or consequence.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose your friend cancels plans to go hiking due to heavy rain. You could say: “On that account, let’s just watch a movie indoors instead.”
• Imagine your team faces an unexpected supply shortage for a key component. You might say: “On that account, we’ll need to explore sourcing options locally.”

Conclusion

That ubiquitous “so” often simplifies connections, missing opportunities for more precise expression. Our exploration into other ways to say “So” has armed you with a varied vocabulary, enabling you to articulate cause, effect, or consequence with greater clarity and nuance. Avoid underselling your logical flow. Instead, let your words build stronger, more refined arguments and explanations. To master even more expressive communication, delve into the extensive resources on the Other Ways To Say homepage.