B1.42.1 - Organizing ideas: en primer lugar, por un lado, finalmente

Using Spanish expressions to organize your ideas

These expressions help you:

• organize information in a clear order
• compare two aspects of the same topic
• close your explanation or argument
• react when you answer a question (pues)

In Spanish, these small words are very visible at the start of the sentence. They guide the listener, like signposts in a text.

1. Expressions for order: first, second, finally…

Use these when you explain a sequence of steps or tell a story in order.

Position

• Normally at the beginning of the sentence.
  En primer lugar, explico el problema.
• You can add a comma after them (common in writing, optional in speech).

Typical patterns

• En primer lugar… en segundo lugar… finalmente…
  Good for 2–3 clear steps.
• En primer lugar… para terminar…
  Good when you only highlight the start and the end.

Common doubts

• Can I say “en tercer lugar”? Yes, but use it only if you really need a third formal point (for example in a presentation).
• Difference between finalmente and para terminar?
  Both mean you are closing. Para terminar sounds more like “to finish my presentation/argument”.

Quick self-check

• Am I describing steps in time? → use en primer lugar / en segundo lugar / finalmente / para terminar.
• Is the order important? If yes, keep this structure. If not, these may sound too formal.

2. Expressions to show two sides: advantages and disadvantages

Use these when you want to present two different aspects of the same situation (often pros and cons).

Important: use them as a pair.

• Por un lado, tengo más flexibilidad; por otro lado, trabajo más horas.
• Por un lado, tengo más flexibilidad. (and nothing after) → sounds incomplete.

Por un lado vs. por una parte

• Meaning is the same.
• Por un lado / por otro lado: very frequent in speech.
• Por una parte / por otra parte: often used in more formal explanations, reports, or meetings.

Quick self-check

• Do I mention both sides? If not, add the second part.
• Is it one topic with two aspects (not two different stories)? If yes, these expressions are a good choice.

3. Expressions to conclude: closing your message

Use them when you want to give your conclusion after explaining or arguing.

“En conclusión” vs. “finalmente”

• En conclusión: introduces your opinion or result.
  → En conclusión, no es una buena idea.
• Finalmente: introduces the last element of your list or story.
  → Finalmente, presentamos la solicitud.

Quick self-check

• Am I finishing a list of actions? → finalmente.
• Am I finishing an argument or analysis? → en conclusión or para terminar.

4. “Pues” to answer and react

Pues is very common in spoken Spanish. In this unit, you mainly use it to:

• start your answer
• soften the information (make it sound less direct)

Examples

• —¿La empresa ha aprobado tu teletrabajo?
  —Pues no; sigue en estudio.
• —¿Te gusta el nuevo sistema?
  —Pues no mucho, es bastante lento.

What “pues” adds

• It gives you a second to think, like “well…” in English.
• It makes the answer sound more relaxed, less abrupt than just “No”.

Position

• Usually at the start of the answer.
  Pues no, todavía no han decidido.
• In writing, you can separate it with a comma: Pues, no… (in speech, the comma is just a short pause).

Quick self-check

• Is someone asking me a question and I want to answer in a natural way? → start with pues + answer.

5. Word order and punctuation: where do I put these expressions?

In this unit, the rule is simple:

• They go at the beginning of the sentence or argument.

Punctuation tips

• After these expressions, a comma is common: En segundo lugar, completamos el formulario.
• With pairs, separate the two parts with a semicolon or comma:
  Por un lado, el trámite es rápido; por otro lado, es caro.

6. Step-by-step: choosing the right expression

1. Ask yourself: What am I doing?
   
   • Explaining steps in time? → go to step 2.
   • Showing two sides (pros/cons)? → go to step 3.
   • Closing my explanation with a result? → go to step 4.
   • Answering a question in conversation? → go to step 5.
2. If it is a sequence (procedure, process):
   
   • First step → En primer lugar, …
   • Second step → En segundo lugar, …
   • Last step → Finalmente, … or Para terminar, …
3. If it is a comparison (advantages / disadvantages):
   
   • First aspect → Por un lado, … / Por una parte, …
   • Second aspect → Por otro lado, … / Por otra parte, …
4. If it is a conclusion (result, main idea):
   
   • To summarize → En conclusión, …
   • To close a presentation → Para terminar, …
5. If it is an answer in conversation (especially a “no” or a nuance):
   
   • Start with → Pues + your answer.
     Example: Pues sí, creo que es una buena propuesta.

7. Mini self-test: can you recognize the function?

For each sentence, decide what the expression does: sequence, two sides, conclusion, or answer.

1. En primer lugar, analizamos los requisitos legales.
2. Por un lado, la subvención es atractiva; por otro lado, exige mucha documentación.
3. Hemos revisado todos los informes; en conclusión, el proyecto es demasiado caro.
4. —¿Vas a solicitar la ayuda este año?
   —Pues no, prefiero esperar al próximo.

Answer key (check yourself)

• 1 → sequence
• 2 → two sides
• 3 → conclusion
• 4 → answer / reaction

8. What you should pay special attention to

• Always start these expressions at the beginning of the sentence or argument.
• Use pairs correctly:
  por un lado … por otro lado / por una parte … por otra parte.
• Do not forget the second part when you use these pairs.
• Choose between sequence, two sides, conclusion, or answer before you speak. Then pick the expression that fits that function.
• Use pues to sound more natural and polite when you answer.

If you can now look at any of these expressions and say clearly:
“This one is for order / for two sides / for conclusion / for answering”,
you are ready to use them confidently in conversation.