Ergo is a conjunctive adverb that is used to express result or effect. While this term is deprecated, knowing how to use it properly can be a bit tricky, since you haven't used it much.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Defining ergo
Step 1. Understand the meaning of ergo
The term ergo can be defined as "result of" or "for such reason".
- Some similar words are: "therefore", "consequently", "that is", "then", "thus", "thus" and "accordingly".
- You can use ergo when describing the relationship between cause and effect.
- Example: "I love to read; ergo, I have a great library at home."
Step 2. Understand that ergo is a conjunctive adverb
It can also be called an ilative conjunction. You can exchange the two parts of speech that basically describe words that share properties, both of adverbs and conjunctions.
- An adverb is a word that modifies a verb or an adjective.
- A conjunction is a word that is used to put two sentences, phrases, or ideas together.
- A conjunctive adverb is a word that modifies the verb of an independent phrase, in such a way as to demonstrate a connection to another independent phrase.
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Example: "I love to read; ergo, I have a great library at home."
In this sentence, ergo modifies the verb "to have" in the standalone phrase "I have a large library at home." Likewise, it connects the phrase that begins with "I have" with the independent phrase "I love to read", and indicates that the last sentence is a result of the first
Step 3. Keep in mind that ergo is considered an archaic term
Even if you have used, heard or read the word ergo, keep in mind that this word is considered archaic; this means that it is in disuse and that it is no longer a common term in modern Spanish.
- This is not to say that you cannot use the word ergo. However, you should be very careful when using it. Using it too often will make you appear forced, pretentious, or unnatural. While there are other words that you can use in the same way, such as "therefore", you should ask yourself if ergo is the best option, before using it.
- Despite being an archaic term, ergo is still used more frequently than other terms, giving it some kind of modern relevance.
- Example: instead of saying "I love to read; ergo, I have a great library at home", you can say: "I love to read; therefore, I have a great library at home".
Part 2 of 2: Using ergo in a sentence
Step 1. Use ergo together with a semicolon
Usually you will see that ergo is preceded by a semicolon, and followed by a comma. This is a correct way to use ergo as it looks more natural.
- Ergo is generally used to indicate how the information in a sentence is the result of the information present in the sentence that precedes it. Since the two sentences are independent, you will need to put them together with some kind of punctuation.
- Since these are two independent phrases, you will need to separate them with a semicolon, rather than using a comma.
- Example: "She has five cats at home; ergo, any allergic person who visits her would never enjoy staying at her house."
Step 2. Start a sentence with ergo
You can start a sentence with ergo if you do it the right way. However, after this word there must be a comma, as when used with a semicolon.
- In essence, ergo is used in the same way both at the beginning of a sentence and after a semicolon. You basically separate the two independent phrases into two separate sentences.
- Example: "She has five cats at home. Ergo, any allergic person who visits her would never enjoy staying at her house."
Step 3. Be careful with commas
The most common mistake people make when using ergo is the scary undue coma. This occurs when you use a simple comma instead of using a semicolon.
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Coordinating conjunctions can put sentences and phrases together; however, conjunctive adjectives cannot. As a result, you cannot score ergo in the same way that you score a regular conjunction, such as "and", "or" and "but".
- Example (incorrect): "Jim got stuck in traffic on his way to work, ergo, he couldn't make it to the meeting this morning."
- Example (correct): "Jim got stuck in traffic on his way to work; ergo, he couldn't make it to the meeting this morning."
- Example (correct): "Jim got stuck in traffic on his way to work and was unable to attend this morning's meeting."
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You can place commas before and after ergo at the same time if you are using this term to clarify the meaning of the sentence more precisely. If you remove ergo from a sentence, the sentence should understand itself.
Example: "Carol enjoys being outdoors. She has decided, ergo, to spend her vacation camping."
Step 4. Follow all the grammar rules that may apply
Sentences must make sense on their own with respect to all other grammatical aspects. You should also make sure to use ergo in a way that matches its definition.
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Always use ergo to express result or effect. You cannot use it to contrast, emphasize, illustrate, or describe a time sequence because its meaning simply does not fit those purposes.
- Example (incorrect): "Two friends used to be inseparable; ergo, one moved in fifth grade, and they both lost contact since then."
- Example (correct): "Two friends used to be inseparable; however, one moved in fifth grade, and both have since lost contact."
- As with all sentences, there should be agreement between the subjects and verbs you use, and all pronouns should clearly describe a previously mentioned noun. You should follow any rules about the syntax and grammar of the sentence.
Step 5. Use this word for both serious and less important matters
Due to the fact that ergo is an archaic term, you will see that it is usually used in an ironic or mocking way. Of course, you can use it in a serious way, but the modern uses of this word are, for the most part, for not so serious occasions.
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Example A: "My neighbor Sally and the Queen of England are never in the same place, or at the same time; ergo, Sally must be the Queen of England in secret."
In this example, ergo is used to hint, in a mocking tone, some degree of academic or serious thinking, even though the statement made is clearly illogical. Using an archaic term correctly and formally is a way to highlight the sarcasm of a statement
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Example B: "Robert had a very tiring day at work; ergo, he went to bed as soon as he got home."
In this example, ergo is used seriously. The grammar is correct, but one hopes to see something more common in its place, such as "therefore", "as a result" or "then"