Text connectors tell a reader how one statement is meant to relate to another. A second sentence may add support, reverse an expectation, state a consequence, advance a sequence, or illustrate a generalization. Without that signal, the reader must reconstruct the argument alone; with too many signals, the prose sounds assembled from a template.
This page maps the main functions and their register. The individual discourse pages provide the finer contrasts, while connecting sentences and clauses shows how to distribute connectors through a paragraph.
A functional map
| Relation | Neutral or everyday choices | More written or formal choices | What the next statement does |
|---|---|---|---|
| addition | επίσης, ακόμη/ακόμα | επιπλέον, εξάλλου | adds a parallel point or reinforcing reason |
| contrast | όμως, αντίθετα | ωστόσο | reverses an expectation or opposes the previous position |
| consequence or inference | γι' αυτό, άρα | επομένως, συνεπώς | states an outcome or conclusion supported by what precedes |
| sequence | πρώτα, μετά, τέλος | αρχικά, στη συνέχεια | places a stage in an ordered process or argument |
| example or reformulation | για παράδειγμα, δηλαδή | π.χ., συγκεκριμένα | illustrates, narrows, or restates a point |
The columns are tendencies, not interchangeable synonym sets. Άρα, for example, characteristically draws an inference, while γι' αυτό commonly presents a real-world consequence. The function-specific causal connectors page develops that distinction.
Adding support
Επίσης adds a parallel item and is neutral in speech and writing. Επιπλέον is especially at home in organized written exposition (formal).
Η έκθεση περιγράφει με σαφήνεια το πρόβλημα. Επιπλέον, προτείνει τρεις εφαρμόσιμες λύσεις.
i ékthesi perighráfi me safínia to próvlima. epipléon, protíni tris efarmózimes lísis
The report describes the problem clearly. In addition, it proposes three workable solutions. (formal writing)
Η Νάντια θα κρατήσει τις σημειώσεις. Επίσης, θα στείλει σε όλους τα πρακτικά.
i Nándia tha kratísi tis simiósis. epísis, tha stíli se ólus ta praktiká
Nadia will take the notes. She will also send everyone the minutes.
Εξάλλου often does more than add another object: it introduces a reason that reinforces the speaker's position, close to “besides” or “after all.” The dedicated additive connectors page ranks these choices by strength and position.
Marking contrast
Όμως is neutral and mobile, whereas sentence-initial ωστόσο is common in careful written contrast (formal). Αντίθετα explicitly presents the second statement as an opposing case or position.
Η πρώτη προσφορά είναι φθηνότερη. Ωστόσο, δεν καλύπτει την τεχνική υποστήριξη.
i próti prosforá íne fthinóteri. ostóso, dhen kalípti tin technikí ipostíriksi
The first offer is cheaper. However, it does not cover technical support. (formal writing)
This marker does not merely join two clauses the way αλλά does. It frames the second sentence as a response to the first. For contrast across sentence boundaries, see discourse contrast markers.
Cause, consequence, and inference
A cause-first passage can open its next sentence with a consequence marker. Everyday γι' αυτό is direct; επομένως and συνεπώς suit reports and formal argument.
Δεν κατατέθηκαν αρκετά στοιχεία. Επομένως, η επιτροπή ανέβαλε την απόφαση.
dhen katatéthikan arketá stichía. epoménos, i epitropí anévale tin apófasi
Not enough evidence was submitted. Therefore, the committee postponed the decision. (formal writing)
Τα γραφεία έκλεισαν νωρίς. Γι' αυτό, δεν προλάβαμε να παραλάβουμε τον φάκελο.
ta ghrafía éklisan norís. yaftó, dhen prolávame na paralávume ton fákelo
The offices closed early. That's why we didn't manage to collect the file.
Άρα is particularly useful when the second statement is a conclusion from clues rather than an event caused by the first.
Τα φώτα είναι σβηστά και η πόρτα κλειδωμένη. Άρα, μάλλον έχουν φύγει.
ta fóta íne zvistá ke i pórta klidhoméni. ára, málon échun fíyi
The lights are off and the door is locked. So they have probably left.
Ordering stages
Sequence markers can order events or the sections of an argument. Register should remain consistent: everyday πρώτα, μετά, τέλος suits instructions, while αρχικά, στη συνέχεια is common in reports (formal).
Αρχικά, καταγράφουμε τα δεδομένα. Στη συνέχεια, ελέγχουμε τις αποκλίσεις. Τέλος, συντάσσουμε την αναφορά.
archiká, kataghráfume ta dhedhoména. sti sinéchia, elénchume tis apoklísis. télos, sindásume tin anaforá
First, we record the data. Next, we check the discrepancies. Finally, we draft the report. (formal procedure)
The distinction between event order and argument order, including τέλος versus τελικά, belongs to sequencing and ordering.
Giving an example or a clearer formulation
Για παράδειγμα and standard written abbreviation π.χ. introduce an instance. Δηλαδή normally reformulates or specifies rather than simply listing an example.
Ορισμένες αλλαγές έχουν άμεσο κόστος· για παράδειγμα, η νέα άδεια λογισμικού κοστίζει διακόσια ευρώ.
orisménes alaghés échun ámeso kóstos; ya parádhighma, i néa ádhia loyizmikú kostízi dhiakósia evró
Some changes have an immediate cost; for example, the new software license costs two hundred euros.
Η παράδοση μετατίθεται για τις δεκαπέντε Μαΐου, δηλαδή κατά μία εβδομάδα.
i parádhosi metatíthete ya tis dhekapénde Maíu, dhiladhí katá mía evdhomádha
Delivery is being moved to May fifteenth—that is, by one week.
The abbreviation π.χ. may expand to παραδείγματος χάρη or more formal παραδείγματος χάριν; both forms are standard.
The broader choice between reformulating and illustrating a claim is developed on reformulation and exemplification.
There is no perfect one-word ranking for every genre. A connector that sounds neutral in a report may feel heavy in a text message; register must be learned with position and function, not as a detachable label.
Common Mistakes
1. Misspelling επίσης with -εις.
❌ Επίσεις, θα χρειαστούμε δύο ακόμη αντίγραφα.
Incorrect spelling—the connector is επίσης.
✅ Επίσης, θα χρειαστούμε δύο ακόμη αντίγραφα.
epísis, tha chriastúme dhío akómi andíghrafa
We will also need two more copies.
2. Replacing the adverb συνεπώς with a nonexistent form.
❌ Συνεπός, η αίτηση πρέπει να εξεταστεί ξανά.
Incorrect—the formal consequence connector ends in -ώς: συνεπώς.
✅ Συνεπώς, η αίτηση πρέπει να εξεταστεί ξανά.
sinepós, i étisi prépi na eksetastí ksaná
Consequently, the application must be reviewed again. (formal)
3. Dropping the second period from the abbreviation π.χ.
❌ Π.χ, η αλλαγή μπορεί να αυξήσει το κόστος.
Incorrect standard punctuation—the abbreviation is π.χ., with both periods.
✅ Π.χ., η αλλαγή μπορεί να αυξήσει το κόστος.
pi chi, i alayí borí na afksísi to kóstos
For example, the change may increase the cost.
Key Takeaways
- Choose a connector by relation first, then by register and position.
- Addition, contrast, consequence, sequence, and exemplification organize different kinds of continuation.
- Γι' αυτό commonly states a consequence; άρα characteristically draws an inference.
- Connectors bind an argument when used selectively; they do not compensate for an unclear logical order.
Related Topics
- Additive ConnectorsB1 — Add parallel information or reinforcing reasons in Greek, choose an appropriate register, and build positive and negative correlative pairs.
- Causal and Consecutive ConnectorsB1 — Connect Greek sentences by presenting a real-world consequence, logical inference, practical conclusion, or formally stated result.
- Connecting Sentences and ClausesB1 — Turn correct but choppy Greek sentences into a coherent paragraph through selective connectors, controlled repetition, and accurate punctuation.
- Contrast Markers: όμως, ωστόσο, αντίθεταB1 — Signal contrast between Greek sentences with markers that reverse expectations, oppose positions, balance considerations, or limit a claim.
- Sequencing and OrderingA2 — Order Greek events and arguments with register-appropriate markers, and distinguish a final list item from an eventual outcome.