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C1CommonCause and EffectWrittenAdvanced

Vietnamese 'vì vậy' Usage (So/Therefore)

'vì vậy' means "so" or "therefore." Its function and style depend on the sentence structure and examples in this lesson.

Quick explanation

Quick explanation

'vì vậy' means "so" or "therefore." Its function and style depend on the sentence structure and examples in this lesson.

English meanings

  • So
  • Therefore

Grammar pattern

Clause. Vì vậy, clause

Examples

1

Tôi bận cả ngày. Vì vậy, tôi trả lời muộn.

I was busy all day. So, I replied late.

2

Câu này dễ gây hiểu lầm. Vì vậy, nên viết rõ hơn.

This sentence can cause misunderstanding. Therefore, it should be written more clearly.

How to use it

'vì vậy' means "so" or "therefore," used to connect a cause in the first sentence with its result in the second. It is slightly more colloquial than 'do đó' and suitable for general explanations.

  • 'vì vậy' is placed at the beginning of the result sentence, often followed by a comma.
  • The first sentence must already state the cause or background.
  • Avoid stacking 'vì vậy' with 'nên' unless in very casual contexts.

Compared with English

Compared with English

Like English 'so' or 'therefore,' 'vì vậy' usually starts the second sentence to introduce the result after stating the cause.

Common mistakes

Câu này dễ gây hiểu lầm. Vì vậy, nên viết rõ hơn.

Câu này dễ gây hiểu lầm. Vì vậy, cần viết rõ hơn.

'vì vậy' already means "therefore," so do not stack with 'nên.'

Vì vậy tôi bận cả ngày, tôi trả lời muộn.

Tôi bận cả ngày. Vì vậy, tôi trả lời muộn.

'vì vậy' introduces the result and should not be placed before the cause sentence.

Commonly confused grammar

Practice

Multiple choice

What usually precedes 'vì vậy'?

Show answer
  • A cause or background
  • A comparison target
  • Sentence-final particle

Answer: A cause or background

Explanation: 'vì vậy' connects a cause with its result.

Fill in the blank

Fill in the blank: Tôi bận cả ngày. ____, tôi trả lời muộn.

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Answer: Tôi bận cả ngày. Vì vậy, tôi trả lời muộn.

Explanation: 'vì vậy' is placed at the beginning of the result sentence, often followed by a comma.

English to Vietnamese

Translate "I was busy all day. So, I replied late." into Vietnamese.

Show answer

Answer: Tôi bận cả ngày. Vì vậy, tôi trả lời muộn.

Explanation: Use vì vậy in the same structure as the example.

True or false

True or False: Câu này dễ gây hiểu lầm. Vì vậy, nên viết rõ hơn.

Show answer

Answer: False

Explanation: 'vì vậy' already means "therefore," so do not stack with 'nên.'

Correction

Correct this sentence: Vì vậy trời mưa, chúng tôi ở nhà.

Show answer

Answer: Vì trời mưa nên chúng tôi ở nhà.

Explanation: Use 'vì' to introduce the cause, not 'vì vậy.'

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