Formal Greek connectors make the architecture of an argument explicit. They can mark inference, consequence, concession, paired considerations, scope, premise, purpose, or nominal cause. Their elevated sound is secondary: a connector succeeds only when it names the actual logical relation. Replacing every γι' αυτό, αλλά, γιατί, or για να with a longer phrase does not automatically improve a text.
Consequence and inference
Επομένως and συνεπώς both introduce a conclusion or consequence supported by what precedes. Επομένως is common in organized exposition (formal/written). Συνεπώς often presents the conclusion as a particularly tight logical consequence and is frequent in reports, regulations, and academic reasoning (formal).
Οι δύο μετρήσεις διαφέρουν σημαντικά. Επομένως, απαιτείται νέος έλεγχος.
i dhío metrísis dhiaférun simandiká. epoménos, apetíte néos élenchos.
The two measurements differ significantly. Therefore, a new check is required. (formal)
Η αίτηση δεν πληροί τα βασικά κριτήρια. Συνεπώς, δεν μπορεί να εγκριθεί.
i étisi dhen plirí ta vasiká kritíria. sinepós, dhen borí na engrithí.
The application does not meet the basic criteria. Consequently, it cannot be approved. (formal)
Ως εκ τούτου is a fixed, highly written phrase meaning “as a result of this / therefore.” The demonstrative τούτου points back to the situation just established. It is common in official letters and legal argument but conspicuous in ordinary conversation.
Η νόμιμη προθεσμία παρήλθε· ως εκ τούτου, το αίτημα θεωρείται εκπρόθεσμο.
i nómimi prothezmía parílthe; os ek tútu, to étima theoríte ekpróthesmo.
The statutory deadline has passed; as a result, the request is considered late. (legal/formal)
Everyday γι' αυτό characteristically presents a practical cause-to-result link, while άρα often draws an inference. The formal markers overlap with these functions but are not decorative translations of English therefore. The functional system is mapped on text connectors.
Concessive contrast: ωστόσο and εντούτοις
Ωστόσο means “however/nevertheless” and is normal in careful writing, news, and presentations. Εντούτοις is more elevated (formal) and strongly signals that the second claim remains true despite the first. Both typically organize contrast across clauses or sentences.
Το δείγμα είναι μικρό. Ωστόσο, τα αποτελέσματα συμφωνούν με παλαιότερες έρευνες.
to dhíghma íne mikró. ostóso, ta apotelézmata simfonún me paleóteres érevnes.
The sample is small. However, the results agree with earlier research. (careful written)
Οι διαθέσιμοι πόροι ήταν περιορισμένοι· εντούτοις, το έργο ολοκληρώθηκε εγκαίρως.
i dhiathésimi póri ítan periorizméni; endútis, to érgho olokliróthike engéros.
The available resources were limited; nevertheless, the project was completed on time. (formal)
Everyday αλλά usually coordinates two clauses inside one sentence; όμως is the more mobile everyday discourse contrast. Ωστόσο is not a mechanically formal version of every αλλά. A simple correction such as “not Tuesday but Wednesday” still calls for αλλά, even in a formal document.
Pairing considerations: αφενός... αφετέρου
Αφενός... αφετέρου... structures two sides of an analysis: “on the one hand... on the other...” The sides may oppose each other or jointly support a conclusion. Both members are expected in balanced prose, though the second may be recoverable in very elaborate text.
Αφενός, η πρόταση μειώνει το κόστος· αφετέρου, δημιουργεί σοβαρούς κινδύνους ασφάλειας.
afenós, i prótasi mióni to kóstos; afetéru, dhimiuryí sovarús kindhínus asfálias.
On the one hand, the proposal reduces costs; on the other, it creates serious safety risks. (formal analysis)
Το πρόγραμμα αφενός στηρίζει τις μικρές επιχειρήσεις και αφετέρου ενισχύει την τοπική απασχόληση.
to próghrama afenós stirízi tis mikrés epichirísis ke afetéru enischíi tin topikí apaschólisi.
The program both supports small businesses and strengthens local employment. (formal)
The second example is additive, not adversative. English on the other hand may imply opposition more strongly than Greek αφετέρου does in this paired construction.
Limiting the scope: εν προκειμένω and καθόσον
Εν προκειμένω means “in the present case / in this matter” (legal/academic). It narrows the discussion to the case under consideration; it does not mean “therefore.”
Εν προκειμένω, το δικαστήριο εξετάζει μόνο τη νομιμότητα της διαδικασίας.
en prokiméno, to dhikastírio eksetázi móno ti nomimótita tis dhiadhikasías.
In the present case, the court examines only the legality of the procedure. (legal)
Καθόσον is a formal conjunction meaning “insofar as / to the extent that.” In administrative prose it can also introduce the ground for a conclusion, close to “since/because.” Those readings share a logic: the following proposition defines the extent or basis on which the main claim holds.
Η ρύθμιση είναι αναγκαία, καθόσον καλύπτει ένα κενό της ισχύουσας νομοθεσίας.
i ríthmisi íne anangéa, kathóson kalípti éna kenó tis ischíusas nomothesías.
The provision is necessary, since it fills a gap in the legislation currently in force. (formal causal use)
Η συμφωνία ισχύει καθόσον αφορά την ανταλλαγή δεδομένων.
i simfonía ischíi kathóson aforá tin andalayí dhedhoménon.
The agreement applies insofar as the exchange of data is concerned. (formal limiting use)
Do not translate every conversational γιατί as καθόσον. Direct questions, personal explanations, and ordinary cause clauses use γιατί or επειδή naturally.
Establishing a premise: δεδομένου ότι
Δεδομένου ότι means “given that,” presenting its clause as an accepted premise for what follows (formal/academic). The learned genitive participle δεδομένου is frozen in the connective frame; the subject of the following ότι-clause does not control its agreement.
Δεδομένου ότι δεν υποβλήθηκαν ενστάσεις, η απόφαση καθίσταται οριστική.
dhedhoménu óti dhen ipovlíthikan enstásis, i apófasi kathístete oristikí.
Given that no objections were submitted, the decision becomes final. (formal/legal)
Everyday Greek may use αφού, επειδή, or simply two sentences, depending on whether the premise is shared, explanatory, or causal. Δεδομένου ότι frames information as a premise; it is not automatically more objective.
Purpose: προκειμένου να
Προκειμένου να + verb introduces an intended end, “in order to,” in reports, instructions, and official letters (formal). Everyday για να is shorter and fully standard. The verb after either marker selects aspect according to viewpoint: a bounded action can be perfective, while an open or internally viewed activity can be imperfective.
Η υπηρεσία ζήτησε πρόσθετα στοιχεία, προκειμένου να ολοκληρώσει την αξιολόγηση.
i ipiresía zítise próstheta stichía, prokiménu na oloklirósi tin aksiolóyisi.
The department requested additional information in order to complete the assessment. (formal)
Στείλε μου τις φωτογραφίες για να διαλέξουμε μαζί.
stíle mu tis fotoghrafíes ya na dhialéksume mazí.
Send me the photos so we can choose together. (everyday)
Για να also has resultative uses in degree and sufficiency contexts. That construction is not an informal substitute for purposive προκειμένου να; see purpose and result clauses.
Nominal causes: λόγω and εξαιτίας + genitive
Λόγω and εξαιτίας introduce a noun phrase cause and require the genitive. Λόγω is frequent and neutral in careful adult writing, notices, and news. Εξαιτίας often highlights an adverse or blameworthy cause, but negative evaluation is a tendency rather than a grammatical requirement.
Η πρόσβαση περιορίστηκε λόγω εργασιών συντήρησης στο κτίριο.
i prózvasi periorístike lógho erghasión sindírisis sto ktírio.
Access was restricted because of maintenance work in the building. (formal notice)
Η αποστολή καθυστέρησε εξαιτίας λανθασμένων στοιχείων στη διεύθυνση.
i apostolí kathistérise eksetías lanthazménon stichíon sti dhiéfthinsi.
The shipment was delayed because of incorrect address information.
A clause with επειδή/γιατί names a proposition; λόγω/εξαιτίας + genitive packages the cause as a noun phrase. The learned genitive set covers the inherited prepositional system and its case requirements.
One message, two registers
The following versions express the same operational decision. The formal version foregrounds premise and consequence; the casual version sounds like a spoken explanation to colleagues.
Δεδομένου ότι το σύστημα θα παραμείνει εκτός λειτουργίας, η προθεσμία παρατείνεται· ως εκ τούτου, οι αιτήσεις μπορούν να υποβληθούν έως τη Δευτέρα.
dhedhoménu óti to sístima tha paramíni ektós lituryías, i prothezmía paratínete; os ek tútu, i etísis borún na ipovlithún éos ti Dheftéra.
Given that the system will remain out of service, the deadline is extended; consequently, applications may be submitted until Monday. (formal notice)
Το σύστημα δεν θα δουλεύει, γι' αυτό δίνουμε χρόνο ως τη Δευτέρα για τις αιτήσεις.
to sístima dhen tha dhulévi, yaftó dhínume chróno os ti Dheftéra ya tis etísis.
The system won't be working, so we're giving people until Monday for the applications. (casual explanation)
Common Mistakes
Treating every formal connector as “therefore”
Εν προκειμένω limits the case, εντούτοις concedes a contrast, and ως εκ τούτου introduces a result. They cannot exchange places merely because all sound formal.
✅ Η πρόταση είναι δαπανηρή· εντούτοις, παραμένει η ασφαλέστερη επιλογή.
✅ I prótasi íne dhapanirí; endútis, paraméni i asfalésteri epiloyí.
The proposal is expensive; nevertheless, it remains the safest option.
Using the nominative after λόγω or εξαιτίας
Both take a genitive noun phrase; they do not contract with its article.
✅ Η εκδήλωση αναβλήθηκε λόγω της έντονης βροχόπτωσης.
✅ I ekdhílosi anavlíthike lógho tis éndonis vrochóptosis.
The event was postponed because of the heavy rainfall.
Leaving αφενός without a real paired structure
When you announce one side with αφενός, build the second as αφετέρου and keep the two units parallel.
✅ Αφενός λείπει χρόνος, αφετέρου δεν υπάρχουν αρκετά δεδομένα.
✅ Afenós lípi chrónos, afetéru dhen ipárchun arketá dhedhoména.
On the one hand, time is lacking; on the other, there is not enough data.
Importing officialese into relaxed speech
Marked connectors can be used humorously in conversation, but neutral forms are the unmarked choice for ordinary plans and explanations.
✅ Άργησε το λεωφορείο, γι' αυτό θα έρθω μετά τις οχτώ.
✅ Áryise to leoforío, yaftó tha értho metá tis ochtó.
The bus was late, so I'll arrive after eight. (everyday)
Key Takeaways
- Επομένως, συνεπώς, ως εκ τούτου mark consequence or inference; ως εκ τούτου is the most institutionally marked of the three.
- Ωστόσο and more elevated εντούτοις signal concessive contrast; αλλά still owns ordinary clause coordination.
- Αφενός... αφετέρου balances two considerations; εν προκειμένω narrows the case.
- Καθόσον limits or grounds a claim; δεδομένου ότι establishes a premise; προκειμένου να marks formal purpose.
- Λόγω/εξαιτίας + genitive package causes as noun phrases and are not simple clause-by-clause substitutes for γιατί.
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