Usage of それで
それで is a conjunction used to connect two sentences where the second sentence is a result or consequence of the first. It can be translated as "therefore," "so," or "because of that." It is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese to explain cause and effect.
Common Contexts
- Explaining reasons or causes leading to a result.
- Asking for a conclusion or next step after some information.
Collocations and Patterns
- それで、[result/consequence] — used to introduce a consequence.
- それで、どうする？ — a common phrase meaning "So, what will you do?" often used in conversations.
Register and Politeness
それで is neutral and can be used in casual and polite contexts. However, in very formal writing, other conjunctions like したがって might be preferred.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse それで with だから. While both mean "so" or "therefore," それで often emphasizes the sequence or consequence more clearly and is used to connect two independent sentences, whereas だから is more directly causal and often used within a single sentence.