大家来学外语
thus 和 therefore 在表达因果关系时,意思确实很接近,都可以翻译成「因此」。不过,两者在正式程度和使用情境上有些微的差异:
therefore
● 较为通用:在各种文体中都常见,使用频率较高。
● 语气较为中性:适合多种场合。
● 用法较为灵活:可以放在句首或句中,但通常放在句首。
● therefore:It is raining outside; therefore, we should stay indoors.(外面在下雨,因此我们应该待在室内。)
thus
● 较为正式:常出现在书面语或学术文章中。
● 语气较为强调:更强调因果关系的紧密性。
● 用法较为固定:通常放在句中,前面常有分号或逗号。
● thus:The experiment was a success; thus, we can move on to the next phase.(实验成功了;因此,我们可以进入下一阶段。)
总结
● 两者都可以表示因果关系,但「thus」的语气更正式,强调程度更强。
● 「therefore」用法较为灵活,可以放在句首或句中;「thus」通常放在句中。
其他需要注意的点
● 「thus」和「therefore」都不是连接词,不能直接连接两个独立的句子。
● 如果要连接两个独立的句子,可以在「therefore」前面加上「, and」或分号。
英文中关于「因此」的各种用法
Formal and Neutral Expressions(正式或中性表达)
● Therefore (因此,正式书面语):He didn’t study for the exam; therefore, he failed. 他没有为考试准备,因此他失败了。
● Thus (因此,略显古典):The evidence is incomplete; thus, the conclusion is uncertain. 证据不完整,因此结论尚不确定。
● Hence (因此,用于正式或学术语境):The project was delayed; hence, the increased cost. 项目被延迟,因此成本增加。Casual and Spoken English(非正式或口语表达)
● So (所以,日常对话中最常见):It’s raining, so we decided to stay home. 在下雨,所以我们决定待在家里。
● As a result (结果是,中性,适用于口语或正式场合):She missed the deadline; as a result, she lost the client. 她错过了截止日期,结果失去了这位客户。
● For this reason (由于这个原因):The company is losing money. For this reason, they are cutting costs. 公司正在亏损,出于这个原因,他们正在削减成本。
● For this reason (由于那个原因):The team failed to communicate effectively. For that reason, the project was delayed. 团队沟通不力,由于那个原因,项目被延迟了。Linking Words and Phrases(连接词或短语)
● Accordingly (相应地,因此):The weather was bad; accordingly, the match was postponed. 天气不好,因此比赛被推迟了。
● Consequently (结果是,语气正式):He didn’t pay his bills; consequently, his electricity was cut off. 他没有支付账单,因此他的电被切断了。
● In turn (依次,因此,表示连锁反应):The government raised taxes, which, in turn, caused public discontent. 政府加税,这进而引发了公众的不满。Specific Contexts(具体语境中的表达)
● That’s why (这就是为什么,常用于口语):I forgot to set my alarm; that’s why I was late. 我忘了设置闹钟,这就是为什么我迟到了。
● Because of this/that (因为这个/那个):He was overconfident. Because of this, he underestimated his opponent. 他过于自信,因此低估了对手。
● As such (作为结果,适用于特定语境):He is the most senior member. As such, he will lead the team. 他是最资深的成员,因此他将领导团队。