Cool MateConsequently vs Thereby
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Consequently
Top 3,000 (common)B2adverb
Thereby
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)C1adverb
Most formal: TherebyMost common: Consequently
| Consequently | Thereby | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒnsɪkwəntli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːnsɪkwentli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌðeəˈbaɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌðerˈbaɪ/"]/ |
| Meaning | As a result or effect of something. | in that way; as a result |
| Example | This poses a threat to agriculture and the food chain, and consequently to human health. | Regular exercise strengthens the heart, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | consequently, the outcome, consequently, we decided, used consequently in a sentence, consequently, it appears, the plan failed; consequently | thereby improving, thereby increasing, thereby allowing |
| Antonyms | inconsequently, independently, unrelatedly | indirectly, without effect, in no way |
| Common mistakes | Using 'consequently' in informal spoken English too often., Confusing 'consequently' with 'consequent' — the former is an adverb, the latter is an adjective., Placing 'consequently' at the beginning of a sentence without a clear prior context. | Using 'thereby' in informal speech when it's not appropriate., Confusing 'thereby' with 'therefor', which has a different meaning., Neglecting to pair 'thereby' with a gerund. |
| Usage notes | Use 'consequently' to show a direct result of something previously mentioned. It's suitable for writing and formal speech, but less common in everyday conversations. | Use 'thereby' in formal writing to indicate the result of an action. It's less common in everyday conversation and may sound overly formal. |
Frequently asked questions: Consequently vs Thereby
What's the difference between Consequently and Thereby?
Consequently: As a result or effect of something. Thereby: in that way; as a result
Which is more formal: Consequently and Thereby?
Thereby is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Consequently and Thereby?
Consequently is the most common in everyday English.
Are Consequently and Thereby the same CEFR level?
Consequently: B2, Thereby: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Consequently and Thereby interchangeably?
Not always. Consequently and Thereby are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.