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N3

Formal Written Connectors: しかし / ところが / そのため

About 10 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Three common connectors

しかし signals a straightforward contrast. ところが introduces a result that goes against expectation. そのため marks a consequence or result. These words are common in essays, reports, and formal explanations.

  1. Target signal

    準備は十分だった。しかし、結果はよくなかった。

    The preparation was sufficient. However, the result was not good.

    しかし marks plain contrast without strong surprise.

    Vocabulary notes
    しかし
    however
    だった
    was; were
    しか
    only; nothing but

  2. Compare in context

    早く家を出た。ところが、電車が止まっていた。

    I left home early. However, the train had stopped.

    Unexpected turn.

    Vocabulary notes
    ところが
    however; but unexpectedly
    ところ〜ところ
    about to; in the middle; just finished
    ところ
    place; point; part

  3. Compare in context

    台風が近づいていた。そのため、イベントは中止になった。

    A typhoon was approaching. Therefore, the event was canceled.

    そのため gives an objective, report-like consequence.

    Vocabulary notes
    イベント
    event
    そのため
    for that reason; therefore
    ため〜ため
    because of; for the purpose of

Section 2 of 3

Nuance differences

However is not always enough. ところが often implies surprise or disappointment. そのため can sound more objective and formal than だから, which is more common in speech.

  1. Target signal

    薬を飲んだ。ところが、熱は下がらなかった。

    I took the medicine. But unexpectedly, the fever did not go down.

    ところが highlights an outcome that goes against expectation.

    Vocabulary notes
    ところが
    however; but unexpectedly
    ところ〜ところ
    about to; in the middle; just finished
    ところ
    place; point; part

  2. Preview

    資料に誤りがあった。そのため、再提出が必要になった。

    There was an error in the materials. As a result, resubmission became necessary.

    そのため sounds more formal and detached than casual だから.

    Vocabulary notes
    そのため
    for that reason; therefore
    ため〜ため
    because of; for the purpose of
    その
    that

Section 3 of 3

Reading focus

Use connectors as road signs. Before reading the next sentence, predict whether you should expect contrast, an unexpected development, or a consequence. This makes longer passages easier to process.

  1. Target signal

    新しい制度は便利だ。しかし、利用者からは不安の声もある。

    The new system is convenient. However, users also have concerns.

    The writer shifts from a benefit to a concern.

    Vocabulary notes
    しかし
    however
    利用者りようしゃ
    user
    新しいあたらしい
    new

  2. Preview

    雪が強くなった。そのため、バスの本数が減った。

    The snow became heavier. As a result, the number of buses decreased.

    A formal cause-result chain is spread across two sentences.

    Vocabulary notes
    そのため
    for that reason; therefore
    ため〜ため
    because of; for the purpose of
    その
    that

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Formal Written Connectors: しかし / ところが / そのため changes the meaning before you check the translation.

準備は十分だった。しかし、結果はよくなかった。 早く家を出た。ところが、電車が止まっていた。 台風が近づいていた。そのため、イベントは中止になった。 薬を飲んだ。ところが、熱は下がらなかった。 資料に誤りがあった。そのため、再提出が必要になった。 新しい制度は便利だ。しかし、利用者からは不安の声もある。 雪が強くなった。そのため、バスの本数が減った。

Show English translation

The preparation was sufficient. However, the result was not good. I left home early. However, the train had stopped. A typhoon was approaching. Therefore, the event was canceled. I took the medicine. But unexpectedly, the fever did not go down. There was an error in the materials. As a result, resubmission became necessary. The new system is convenient. However, users also have concerns. The snow became heavier. As a result, the number of buses decreased.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how Formal Written Connectors: しかし / ところが / そのため changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how Formal Written Connectors: しかし / ところが / そのため changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Formal Written Connectors: しかし / ところが / そのため in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

Which connector often implies an unexpected outcome?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Formal Written Connectors: しかし / ところが / そのため).

準備は十分だった。＿＿＿、結果はよくなかった。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1早く家を出た。ところが、電車が止まっていた。
  2. 2台風が近づいていた。そのため、イベントは中止になった。
  3. 3準備は十分だった。しかし、結果はよくなかった。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Formal Written Connectors: しかし / ところが / そのため in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/4

Which connector often implies an unexpected outcome?