These two words are easy to mix up and often used (incorrectly) to mean much the same thing. They are not, however, interchangeable and have two different meanings. Sometimes deciding which of these two words is the correct one for your purpose requires careful consideration. Make sure that you use the correct version in your paper by reading about their definitions and usage below.
Consequently
This word is an adverb meaning ‘as a result of the reason given previously’. It can be used synonymously with ‘in consequence’ and is used to describe an effect, outcome or result. It would be used in a sentence like this:
‘Jonathan is away on holiday. Consequently, he will be unable to play in the football match this week.
Subsequently
‘Subsequently’ is an adverb meaning ‘next’ or ‘following’ and can sometimes be used synonymously with the word ‘later’. It refers back to a specific time previously discussed. It would, therefore, be used in a sentence in this way:
‘President Nixon was heavily criticised for his involvement in the Watergate scandal of 1972. He subsequently resigned from office in 1974’.
The Difference
Consequently is used in sentences which can be broken down to this simple structure:
‘X happened. Consequently/because of this, Y happened.’
Subsequently, however, is used in sentences in this way:
‘X happened. Subsequently/after this, Y happened’.
‘Consequently’ is about the reason why something took place whilst ‘subsequently’ is more about the order of time in which events took place. A common mistake is using ‘subsequently’ instead of ‘consequently’ when no causation has been discussed. Double check which is the correct word in the context of your writing!
Consequently
This word is an adverb meaning ‘as a result of the reason given previously’. It can be used synonymously with ‘in consequence’ and is used to describe an effect, outcome or result. It would be used in a sentence like this:
‘Jonathan is away on holiday. Consequently, he will be unable to play in the football match this week.
Subsequently
‘Subsequently’ is an adverb meaning ‘next’ or ‘following’ and can sometimes be used synonymously with the word ‘later’. It refers back to a specific time previously discussed. It would, therefore, be used in a sentence in this way:
‘President Nixon was heavily criticised for his involvement in the Watergate scandal of 1972. He subsequently resigned from office in 1974’.
The Difference
Consequently is used in sentences which can be broken down to this simple structure:
‘X happened. Consequently/because of this, Y happened.’
Subsequently, however, is used in sentences in this way:
‘X happened. Subsequently/after this, Y happened’.
‘Consequently’ is about the reason why something took place whilst ‘subsequently’ is more about the order of time in which events took place. A common mistake is using ‘subsequently’ instead of ‘consequently’ when no causation has been discussed. Double check which is the correct word in the context of your writing!