How to use "accordingly"

What Does "accordingly" Mean?

• Grammatical function: Accordingly functions as an adverbial connective, indicating a consequence or result. It connects two clauses or sentences, showing that the second is a logical outcome of the first.
• Typical sentence position: Initial, medial, or final.
• Register: Formal to neutral. It's more common in written and formal spoken language than in casual conversation.

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: Accordingly is often followed by a comma when it begins a sentence or clause. It connects two independent clauses, often with a semicolon preceding it if it appears mid-sentence.
• Punctuation rules: When starting a sentence, it is followed by a comma. When used mid-sentence to connect independent clauses, a semicolon often precedes it and a comma follows it. If it interrupts a single clause, it's set off by commas.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence, be placed mid-clause, or end a sentence. The placement affects emphasis and flow, but the meaning remains the same. It cannot be negated.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using accordingly in very informal contexts may sound overly formal. Omitting necessary punctuation can disrupt the flow and clarity.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from accordingly on Ludwig.guru.

"We will act differently from the government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens and intend to respond accordingly." — The Guardian

"This week, a spokesman for Shenhua said the company expected the water trigger to be applied as part of the commonwealth assessment and "we have prepared accordingly"." — The Guardian

"Listen to their comments, reflect on which you think are useful, make changes accordingly." — The Guardian

"Snowden saw what happened to other whistleblowers, and behaved accordingly." — The Guardian - Tech

"Accordingly, he wrapped his outburst of deadly rage in an Isis flag, and claimed he was acting on behalf of the caliphate." — The Guardian

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/accordingly

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
consequently	More formal; emphasizes the logical sequence of events.
therefore	Stronger logical implication; typical of academic and argumentative writing.
thus	Formal; indicates a logical deduction or conclusion.
hence	Formal and somewhat archaic; similar to "therefore" but less common.
as a result	More formal; introduces a consequence in written and academic contexts.
for this reason	Explains the cause of something that happens next.
in response	Highlights an action or change made as a direct reaction to something.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong position: Placing accordingly in an unnatural spot disrupts the flow. For example, "He acted, accordingly, quickly" is less natural than "He acted quickly accordingly" or "Accordingly, he acted quickly."
• Missing punctuation: Omitting the comma after accordingly when it begins a sentence. "Accordingly he left" should be "Accordingly, he left."
• Confusion with similar connectives: Using accordingly when a simpler connective like "so" or "therefore" would be more appropriate in informal contexts.
• Learners often misuse "accordingly" by placing it in an incorrect position in the sentence, disrupting the flow and clarity of the logical connection.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
accordingly	Indicates a consequence or result	Formal to Neutral	Initial, Medial, Final

FAQs

Where in a sentence can "accordingly" appear?

Accordingly is quite flexible and can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. However, its placement affects the emphasis and flow of the sentence, so choose the position that best suits the context and desired effect.

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How does "accordingly" differ from its closest alternative, "consequently"?

Both accordingly and consequently indicate a result or consequence, but consequently often emphasizes a stronger or more direct cause-and-effect relationship. Accordingly can sometimes imply a more tailored or appropriate response to a given situation, while consequently focuses more on the logical sequence.

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How can I avoid misplacing "accordingly" in a sentence?

To avoid misplacing accordingly, consider the flow and clarity of your sentence. Ensure that the placement doesn't disrupt the natural rhythm of the sentence and that the connection between the two clauses is clear. Try reading the sentence aloud to check if the placement sounds natural and logical.