Cool MateAccordingly vs Consequently
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accordingly
Consequently
| Accordingly | Consequently | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkɔːdɪŋli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɔːrdɪŋli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒnsɪkwəntli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːnsɪkwentli/"]/ |
| Meaning | In a way that is suitable or appropriate based on something else. | As a result or effect of something. |
| Example | We have to discover his plans and act accordingly. | This poses a threat to agriculture and the food chain, and consequently to human health. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | act accordingly, respond accordingly, adjust accordingly, plan accordingly, behave accordingly | consequently, the outcome, consequently, we decided, used consequently in a sentence, consequently, it appears, the plan failed; consequently |
| Antonyms | inappropriately, improperly, unsuitably, contrarily | inconsequently, independently, unrelatedly |
| Common mistakes | Using 'accordingly' in informal situations where simpler words would be better., Confusing 'accordingly' with 'according to', which has a different meaning., Omitting the necessary context before using 'accordingly'. | 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. |
| Usage notes | Use 'accordingly' to show a result based on a previous statement. It's often found in written English and formal contexts but can also be used in speech. | 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. |
Frequently asked questions: Accordingly vs Consequently
What's the difference between Accordingly and Consequently?
Accordingly: In a way that is suitable or appropriate based on something else. Consequently: As a result or effect of something.
Which is more common: Accordingly and Consequently?
Consequently is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Accordingly and Consequently?
Accordingly is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Accordingly and Consequently the same CEFR level?
Accordingly: C1, Consequently: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Accordingly and Consequently?
Accordingly: adverb, Consequently: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Accordingly: We have to discover his plans and act accordingly. Consequently: This poses a threat to agriculture and the food chain, and consequently to human health.
Can I use Accordingly and Consequently interchangeably?
Not always. Accordingly and Consequently 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.