so they

USAGE SUMMARY

"so they" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to join two sentences to introduce a consequence, or an explanation for the first sentence. Example sentence: I missed the exam, so they barred me from taking the class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And so they shall.

The New York Times

So they couldn't come.

The New York Times

"So they wore out".

The New York Times

"So they shot him".

The New York Times

So they have waited.

The New York Times

So they may.

The Economist

So they are".

The New York Times

So they don't.

The New York Times - Arts

So they waited.

The New York Times

"So they remembered".

The New York Times

And so they do.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so they" to clearly connect a preceding statement with its direct consequence or the reason behind it. Ensure the connection is logical and easily understood by the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "so they" repeatedly in lengthy sentences. Break down complex ideas into simpler sentences for clarity, using other connectors like "therefore" or "as a result" for variety and impact.

Linguistic Context

"So they" acts as a conjunction connecting two independent clauses, where the second clause is a direct result or consequence of the first. Ludwig AI confirms this by providing numerous examples where "so they" joins related ideas, explaining the outcome or action taken due to a previous situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"So they" is a common conjunction phrase used to indicate a direct consequence or result. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media, functioning to connect related clauses in a cause-and-effect manner. While suitable for general use, it's important to avoid overusing it in complex sentences and to vary connectors for clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and explanatory function, making it a versatile tool in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

therefore they

Emphasizes the logical consequence more directly using "therefore".

as a result, they

Clearly indicates a cause-and-effect relationship with "as a result".

consequently, they

Highlights the outcome or effect using "consequently".

thus, they

A more formal way to express consequence with "thus".

that's why they

More informal, emphasizing the reason for a subsequent action.

for that reason, they

Provides a more detailed explanation of the cause.

because of that, they

Specifically points to a preceding cause.

and that's how they

Highlights the manner in which something came to be.

hence, they

A formal substitute emphasizing a logical deduction.

accordingly, they

Indicates that an action is taken in response to something.

FAQs

How can I use "so they" in a sentence?

Use "so they" to connect a statement with its consequence. For example, "It was raining, "so they" cancelled the picnic."

What are some alternatives to "so they"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "therefore they", "as a result, they", or "consequently, they".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "So they"?

While it's more common to use "so they" to connect two clauses, starting a sentence with it is acceptable, especially in informal contexts, to emphasize the consequence or result. However, it's generally better to avoid it in formal writing.

What's the difference between "so they" and "because they"?

"So they" indicates a consequence or result, while "because they" introduces the reason for something. For example, "They were tired, "so they" went to bed" (consequence) vs. "They went to bed "because they" were tired" (reason).