Formal discourse connectors
In short
| Connector | Meaning | Comma? |
|---|---|---|
| međutim | however (contrast) | yes, both sides inside a sentence |
| stoga | therefore (consequence) | usually no |
| dakle | so, thus (conclusion) | yes |
| naime | you see (explains the previous sentence) | yes |
| osim toga | in addition | yes |
| najpre … zatim | first … then | no |
| ukratko | in short | yes |
They link SENTENCES; ali/a/jer join clauses inside one. naime never opens a text.
B2 · Lesson 39 · Rečenični konektori: međutim, stoga, naime
The full explanation, from the lesson that teaches this rule
You already join two clauses inside one sentence with ali, a, jer and zato što: Plan je dobar, ali skup. An essay needs a second tool: a word that starts a NEW sentence and tells the reader how it relates to the one before. English does this with however, therefore, in addition, in short. Serbian has its own set, and they are the backbone of any argument you write or present.
The connectors and what each one does
| Connector | English | What it signals | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| međutim | however | contrast with the previous sentence | Plan je dobar. Međutim, previše košta. |
| stoga | therefore, that is why | a consequence of what was just said | Podaci nisu potpuni. Stoga ne možemo izvesti zaključak. |
| dakle | so, thus | a conclusion you draw, or a return to the main point | Dakle, pretpostavka je bila tačna. |
| naime | you see, the thing is | the explanation or reason for the previous sentence | Naime, novac je stigao tek u maju. |
| osim toga | in addition, besides | one more argument on the same side | Osim toga, lako se primenjuje. |
| najpre … zatim | first … then | the order of steps or points | Najpre ću objasniti problem, a zatim ću predstaviti rešenje. |
| ukratko | in short | a summary at the end | Ukratko, prednosti su veće od nedostataka. |
Commas
Međutim, dakle, naime, osim toga and ukratko are set off by commas, like however in English: a comma after them at the start of a sentence, and a comma on both sides when they sit inside it: Njegovi dokazi su, međutim, slabi. Stoga usually works like an ordinary adverb and needs no comma: Stoga mora da smanji troškove. Najpre and zatim take no comma either.
Where they go in the sentence
- međutim and dakle can open the sentence or move inside it after the first phrase: Ništa se, međutim, nije promenilo.
- naime almost always opens the sentence, and it can never open a text: it needs a previous sentence to explain.
- stoga, osim toga and ukratko normally open the sentence.
- najpre and zatim can sit in one sentence (joined by a) or open two sentences in a row.
ali joins two clauses inside one sentence; međutim starts a new sentence. In careful writing, prefer Plan je dobar. Međutim, skup je. over squeezing međutim between two clauses after a comma.
naime is NOT the English namely for listing items. It introduces the reason behind what you just said, like you see or the thing is: Ne slažem se sa autorom. Naime, njegovi primeri su zastareli.
stoga vs dakle: stoga states a consequence (this happened, so that follows). Dakle draws a conclusion from evidence, or brings the listener back to the point: Dakle, šta je vaš glavni argument? Both can translate as so; use stoga where English could say that is why.
Check what you read
3 of the 14 questions this lesson asks in the app. Type the form or pick the answer.
Ovaj grad ima lepe parkove. ___, saobraćaj je užasan.
Knjiga je dobro napisana. Kraj je, ___, razočaravajući.
Cene su porasle za trideset odsto. ___ mnoge porodice štede na hrani.
Examples from the course
The marked word is where the rule applies. Press play to hear the sentence.
Ukratko, prednosti su veće od nedostataka.
In short, the advantages are greater than the disadvantages.
Dakle, šta je vaš glavni argument?
So, what is your main argument? (formal you)
Plan je dobar. Međutim, previše košta.
The plan is good. However, it costs too much.
Ukratko, obrazovanje mora biti besplatno za sve.
In short, education must be free for everyone.
Ukratko, rasprava je pokazala da nemamo jednostavno rešenje.
In short, the debate showed that we do not have a simple solution.
Najpre pročitajte tekst, a zatim napišite kratak rezime.
First read the text, and then write a short summary. (formal or plural you)
Podaci nisu potpuni. Stoga ne možemo izvesti zaključak.
The data are not complete. Therefore we cannot draw a conclusion.
Grad nema dovoljno novca. Stoga mora da smanji troškove.
The city does not have enough money. Therefore it has to cut costs.
Ideja je zanimljiva, ali skupa. Stoga predlažem da sačekamo.
The idea is interesting, but expensive. That is why I suggest we wait.
Autor ima zanimljivu tezu. Njegovi dokazi su, međutim, slabi.
The author has an interesting thesis. His evidence, however, is weak.
Sentences in the course that use this rule: 23
Try it yourself
Translate a sentence that uses this rule. The check marks the word that went wrong and names the rule behind it, as in the app.
Sentences
Write it in Serbian
In short, the advantages are greater than the disadvantages.