Discourse connectors are the glue that holds paragraphs together. They are not technically conjunctions in the strict grammatical sense — they don't join two clauses inside one sentence. Instead, they tie sentences and paragraphs to each other, signaling to the reader how each new idea relates to what came before. Learning them is one of the most efficient upgrades to your Spanish writing and formal speech.
Contrast connectors
Sin embargo: however
Sin embargo is the standard written word for however. It contrasts a new sentence with the previous one and is almost always followed by a comma.
El plan parecía perfecto. Sin embargo, fracasó.
The plan seemed perfect. However, it failed.
No obstante: nevertheless
No obstante is a slightly more formal synonym of sin embargo. It's common in essays, legal writing, and journalism.
Los resultados son preliminares. No obstante, son prometedores.
The results are preliminary. Nevertheless, they are promising.
En cambio: on the other hand
En cambio introduces a direct contrast between two subjects or situations.
Mi hermano es muy tímido. En cambio, mi hermana es extrovertida.
My brother is very shy. On the other hand, my sister is outgoing.
Por otro lado: on the other hand, meanwhile
Por otro lado is similar to en cambio but slightly broader: it can simply shift perspective without a strict opposition.
El costo es alto. Por otro lado, la calidad es excelente.
The cost is high. On the other hand, the quality is excellent.
Addition connectors
Además: besides, moreover
Además adds information that reinforces the previous statement.
El restaurante es caro. Además, el servicio es lento.
The restaurant is expensive. Besides, the service is slow.
También: also
También is more common inside a sentence than as a paragraph connector, but it often opens a supporting sentence in spoken Spanish.
Ordering connectors
Use these to walk a reader through a list of points.
En primer lugar / en segundo lugar
In the first place / in the second place. These introduce ordered arguments in formal prose.
En primer lugar, el proyecto es costoso. En segundo lugar, es arriesgado.
In the first place, the project is expensive. In the second place, it is risky.
Por último / finalmente: finally
Both mean finally and close a list. Finalmente is slightly more formal.
Por último, quiero agradecerles su tiempo.
Finally, I want to thank you for your time.
Summary connectors
En resumen: in summary
En resumen, la propuesta tiene más ventajas que desventajas.
In summary, the proposal has more advantages than disadvantages.
En conclusión: in conclusion
En conclusión is the standard close for an essay, a speech, or a formal argument.
En conclusión, debemos invertir en la educación.
In conclusion, we must invest in education.
Quick reference
| Function | Connectors |
|---|---|
| Contrast | sin embargo, no obstante, en cambio, por otro lado |
| Addition | además, también, asimismo |
| Ordering | en primer lugar, en segundo lugar, por último, finalmente |
| Summary | en resumen, en conclusión, en síntesis |
| Result | por lo tanto, por consiguiente, así pues |
Common mistakes
❌ Sin embargo no estoy de acuerdo.
Wrong: missing the comma after the discourse connector.
✅ Sin embargo, no estoy de acuerdo.
Correct: most discourse connectors need a comma after them.
❌ Además que es caro, es feo.
Wrong: además does not take que — use además de que or just además.
✅ Además, es caro y es feo.
Correct: además as a standalone connector.
❌ En cambio, estoy de acuerdo.
Wrong: en cambio means 'on the other hand', not 'I agree'.
✅ En cambio, yo prefiero quedarme.
Correct: en cambio introduces a contrasting alternative.
For sharper consequence words, see Result: Así que, Por eso, De modo que. For the but family of contrast words within a single sentence, see Pero and Sino.
Related Topics
- Pero and SinoA2 — How to express 'but' in Spanish with pero for contrast and sino for correction after a negative.
- Result: Así que, Por eso, De modo queB1 — How to express consequence and result in Spanish with así que, por eso, por lo tanto, and de modo/manera que.
- Causal: Porque, Como, Ya queA2 — How to express cause and reason in Spanish with porque, como, ya que, puesto que, and pues.