Causal connectors show how a new sentence follows from prior discourse. Γι' αυτό presents consequence, άρα inference, οπότε/λοιπόν a conversational next step, and formal prose uses επομένως, συνεπώς, ως εκ τούτου.
This is the discourse layer. Conjunctions such as γιατί, επειδή, αφού join a reason clause inside a sentence and belong to causal conjunctions. Here each connector interprets a complete preceding statement or stretch of discourse.
See the two directions
A consequence connector starts with the cause and then points forward to the result:
Έκλεισε η εθνική οδός. Γι' αυτό καθυστερήσαμε περισσότερο από μία ώρα.
éklise i ethnikí odhós. yaftó kathisterísame perisótero apó mía óra
The main highway closed. That's why we were delayed by more than an hour. (cause → result)
A causal conjunction packages the same facts in reverse information order:
Καθυστερήσαμε περισσότερο από μία ώρα επειδή έκλεισε η εθνική οδός.
kathisterísame perisótero apó mía óra epidhí éklise i ethnikí odhós
We were delayed by more than an hour because the main highway closed. (result ← cause)
The conjunction page owns γιατί/επειδή/αφού. Here ask whether the cause is already stated; if so, choose the kind of consequence or conclusion that follows.
γι' αυτό: the everyday consequence workhorse
Neutral γι' αυτό means “that's why/for that reason.” It introduces something the earlier fact caused or motivated.
Η μπαταρία είχε αδειάσει. Γι' αυτό δεν μπόρεσα να σε καλέσω.
i bataría íche adhiási. yaftó dhen bóresa na se kaléso
The battery had died. That's why I couldn't call you.
Το κατάστημα κάνει απογραφή. Γι' αυτό θα παραμείνει κλειστό ως τη Δευτέρα.
to katástima káni apoghrafí. yaftó tha paramíni klistó os ti Dheftéra
The shop is taking inventory. For that reason, it will remain closed until Monday.
Its spelling, position, and contrast with άρα are developed on the focused γι' αυτό page.
επομένως and συνεπώς: written consequence
Επομένως introduces an organized practical or reasoned conclusion (formal/written).
Δεν υποβλήθηκαν όλες οι άδειες. Επομένως, οι εργασίες δεν μπορούν να αρχίσουν.
dhen ipovlíthikan óles i ádhies. epoménos, i erghasíes dhen borún na archísun
Not all permits were submitted. Therefore, the work cannot begin. (formal)
Συνεπώς is explicitly logical and characteristic of administrative or academic prose (formal/academic).
Η υπόθεση δεν πληροί τα προβλεπόμενα κριτήρια. Συνεπώς, το αίτημα απορρίπτεται.
i ipóthesi dhen plirí ta provlepómena kritíria. sinepós, to étima aporíptete
The case does not meet the prescribed criteria. Consequently, the request is rejected. (formal/administrative)
Both normally open the sentence with a comma. In casual conversation they sound bureaucratic; γι' αυτό or οπότε is lighter.
άρα: a conclusion inferred from evidence
Άρα marks reasoning from evidence. The first situation supports believing the conclusion rather than causing it.
Το αυτοκίνητο λείπει και τα παντζούρια είναι κλειστά. Άρα, μάλλον έχουν φύγει για το Σαββατοκύριακο.
to aftokínito lípi ke ta pandzúria íne klistá. ára, málon échun fíyi ya to Savatokíriako
The car is gone and the shutters are closed. So they've probably left for the weekend. (inference)
Compare a real-world result:
Έφυγαν για το Σαββατοκύριακο. Γι' αυτό το σπίτι είναι κλειστό.
éfiyan ya to Savatokíriako. yaftó to spíti íne klistó
They left for the weekend. That's why the house is shut. (consequence)
The closed house is evidence in the άρα pair; the trip causes the closure in the γι' αυτό pair. English so covers both.
λοιπόν: practical conversational conclusion
Λοιπόν turns discussion into a decision, next move, or request (spoken/neutral) rather than marking strict proof.
Δεν υπάρχει άλλη διαθέσιμη πτήση σήμερα. Λοιπόν, θα μείνουμε εδώ απόψε.
dhen ipárchi áli dhiathésimi ptísi símera. lipón, tha mínume edhó apópse
There is no other available flight today. So, we'll stay here tonight.
It also opens turns without a causal premise; see λοιπόν.
οπότε: conversational “so/and so”
Frequent conversational οπότε presents the next event or practical consequence as following naturally (informal/neutral).
Η Μαρίνα ακύρωσε την κράτησή της. Οπότε, θα πάμε τελικά οι δυο μας.
i Marína akírose tin krátisí tis. opóte, tha páme teliká i dhío mas
Marina canceled her booking. So in the end it'll be just the two of us.
Δεν βρίσκουμε ταξί. Οπότε τι κάνουμε τώρα;
dhen vrískume taksí. opóte ti kánume tóra;
We can't find a taxi. So what do we do now?
Οπότε also joins clauses. At discourse level it begins a turn, conclusion, or planning question and is lighter than επομένως.
και έτσι: narrative consequence
Neutral και έτσι means “and so/in this way,” especially when one action produces the next.
Βρήκαμε ένα μικρό μονοπάτι δίπλα στο ποτάμι. Και έτσι φτάσαμε στο χωριό πριν νυχτώσει.
vríkame éna mikró monopáti dhípla sto potámi. ke étsi ftásame sto chorió prin nichtósi
We found a small path beside the river. And so we reached the village before nightfall.
The pair carries the story from one step to its consequence.
ως εκ τούτου: formal and near-legal consequence
Fixed ως εκ τούτου “consequently” belongs to administrative, legal, and academic writing (formal/legal).
Η σύμβαση δεν υπογράφηκε εντός της προθεσμίας. Ως εκ τούτου, η προσφορά έπαψε να ισχύει.
i símvasi dhen ipoghráfike endós tis prothezmías. os ek tútu, i prosforá épapse na ischíi
The contract was not signed within the deadline. Consequently, the offer ceased to be valid. (formal/legal)
It is modern but intentionally heavy; γι' αυτό or οπότε avoids that institutional tone.
Cause without a clause: λόγω and εξαιτίας
For a nominal cause, use λόγω/εξαιτίας + genitive. Λόγω is neutral in careful prose; εξαιτίας is more explicit and often highlights an adverse or blameworthy cause, without requiring one.
Λόγω της απεργίας, τα πρωινά δρομολόγια ακυρώθηκαν.
lógho tis aperyías, ta proiná dhromolóyia akiróthikan
Because of the strike, the morning services were canceled.
Εξαιτίας μιας λανθασμένης διεύθυνσης, το δέμα επέστρεψε στον αποστολέα.
eksetías mias lanthazménis dhiéfthinsis, to dhéma epéstrepse ston apostoléa
Because of an incorrect address, the parcel was returned to the sender.
Both require the genitive. Causal clauses compares everyday από + accusative.
Common Mistakes
1. Dropping the final -ως from συνεπώς. The connector is an adverb.
❌ Συνεπός, η απόφαση πρέπει να αναθεωρηθεί.
Incorrect spelling—the formal connector is συνεπώς.
✅ Συνεπώς, η απόφαση πρέπει να αναθεωρηθεί.
sinepós, i apófasi prépi na anatheorithí
Consequently, the decision must be revised. (formal)
2. Altering the fixed genitive in ως εκ τούτου. The phrase does not take accusative αυτό.
❌ Ως εκ αυτό, η διαδικασία ακυρώνεται.
Incorrect—the fixed expression is ως εκ τούτου.
✅ Ως εκ τούτου, η διαδικασία ακυρώνεται.
os ek tútu, i dhiadhikasía akirónete
As a result, the procedure is canceled. (formal)
3. Using an accusative after εξαιτίας. This preposition-like form requires the genitive.
❌ Εξαιτίας την κακοκαιρία, η εκδήλωση αναβλήθηκε.
Incorrect—use the genitive της κακοκαιρίας.
✅ Εξαιτίας της κακοκαιρίας, η εκδήλωση αναβλήθηκε.
eksetías tis kakokerías, i ekdhílosi anavlíthike
Because of the bad weather, the event was postponed.
Key Takeaways
- Discourse connectors look back to an established statement; causal conjunctions introduce a reason clause inside a sentence.
- Γι' αυτό states a real-world consequence; άρα draws a logical inference.
- Επομένως/συνεπώς organize written conclusions; ως εκ τούτου is highly formal or legal.
- Λοιπόν turns discussion into a next move; conversational οπότε introduces a natural practical consequence.
- Και έτσι advances a narrative result; nominal causes use λόγω/εξαιτίας + genitive.
Related Topics
- γι' αυτό: That's Why / ThereforeA2 — Use everyday γι' αυτό to point from an established cause to its real-world consequence, and distinguish it from logical inference.
- Causal ClausesA2 — Arrange Greek reason clauses before or after a main clause, replace clauses with nominal causes, and connect a cause to its result.
- Text Connectors OverviewB1 — Choose Greek connectors by discourse function and register to build coherent spoken explanations and written arguments.