LSAT Indicator Words: Premise and Conclusion Signals
Indicator words are the signposts of an LSAT argument. Words like “therefore” usually introduce a conclusion, and words like “because” usually introduce a premise. But they are clues, not rules. Some of the most tested words, like “however” and “after all,” can point either way, and many LSAT arguments have no indicator word at all. Learn the lists below, then learn the traps.
What are LSAT indicator words?
An LSAT argument has two kinds of parts. The conclusion is the claim the author wants you to accept. The premises are the claims offered in support of it. Indicator words are the small words that signal which role a claim is playing. A conclusion indicator tells you the claim that follows is being argued for. A premise indicator tells you the claim that follows is doing the supporting.
Indicator words matter because Logical Reasoning is about two thirds of the scored LSAT as of October 2026, and nearly every Logical Reasoning question type rewards you for finding the conclusion first. Our guide to finding the conclusion covers the structural methods. This page is the reference list to pair with it: every common indicator word, grouped by what it usually signals, plus the cases where the usual signal misleads.
Conclusion indicator words
These words usually introduce a conclusion. When you see one, the sentence that follows is probably the point the author is arguing for.
| Indicator | Example |
|---|---|
| therefore, thus, hence, consequently, accordingly | The store raised prices, and sales fell. Therefore, customers are price sensitive. |
| so, it follows that, it must be that | The road is closed, so we should take the train. |
| as a result, for this reason, in conclusion | As a result, the policy should be changed. |
| clearly, obviously, must | Clearly, the plan is working. |
| shows that, proves that, demonstrates that | The data shows that the treatment works. |
Two cautions. First, a conclusion indicator does not always introduce the main conclusion. It can introduce an intermediate conclusion, a claim that is itself supported by earlier premises and then used to support the main conclusion. Second, words like “clearly” and “obviously” are doing rhetorical work: they make a claim sound settled whether or not the support earns it. Treat them as a flag, not as proof.
Premise indicator words
These words usually introduce a premise. The claim that follows is being offered as support for something else.
| Indicator | Example |
|---|---|
| because, since, for, given that | We should take the train, because the road is closed. |
| as indicated by, as shown by, in that | The plan is failing, as shown by falling sales. |
| due to, owing to, on the grounds that | Due to the drought, the harvest was small. |
| for example, for instance | Many cities have cut bus routes. For example, Riverton ended its night service. |
| furthermore, moreover, besides, in addition | Furthermore, the new route costs less to run. |
Note that “furthermore” and “moreover” are additional-premise indicators: they add another supporting claim rather than starting the argument. And “for example” introduces evidence, but an example alone rarely carries an argument. If the example is the only support, the argument is usually weak, which is exactly what flaw questions test.
Words that can point either way
This is the part most lists skip, and it is the part the LSAT tests hardest. These words signal a shift or a relationship, not a fixed role. You have to read the sentence to know which side it lands on.
| Word | How it can mislead |
|---|---|
| however, but, yet, nevertheless | These pivot words mark a turn, often from someone else's view to the author's view. The conclusion usually comes right after the pivot, but not always. Sometimes the pivot introduces a concession the author then answers. |
| although, even though, despite, in spite of | These concede a point before the author makes theirs. The clause after “although” is usually a premise or background, and the main claim follows it. |
| after all | “After all” can introduce a premise (“She must be tired, after all, she worked all night”) or a conclusion. Do not memorize it as one or the other. |
| since, as | Both can be temporal, not logical. “Since 2020, sales have risen” is a time marker, not a premise indicator. Check whether the sentence gives a reason. |
| for | “For” as a premise indicator (“It must be raining, for the streets are wet”) is easy to confuse with “for” as a purpose word (“This tool is for drilling”). Context decides. |
What to do when there is no indicator word
Many LSAT arguments have no indicator word at all. Writers do not label every claim. When the signposts are missing, use these two tests instead.
The therefore test. Put “therefore” in front of each candidate claim. The claim that reads like the natural takeaway, the one the rest of the argument exists to support, is the conclusion.
The why test. Ask of each claim: why should I believe this? If the other claims answer that question, they are premises, and the claim being defended is the conclusion. If a claim answers no question and supports nothing, it may be background, not a premise at all. Background is the most common trap for students who try to label every sentence: some sentences set the scene and do no argumentative work.
How indicator words show up across question types
Indicator words are not a question type of their own. They are a tool that pays off across the Logical Reasoning question types:
- Main point questions: the answer restates the main conclusion. Indicator words help you find it, but watch for intermediate conclusions wearing a “therefore.”
- Flaw questions: many flaws turn on a premise being treated as established when it is only supported, or a conclusion being drawn from a premise that does not support it. Mapping the structure first makes the flaw visible.
- Strengthen and weaken questions: these target the gap between premises and conclusion. You cannot see the gap until you know which claim is which.
- Method of reasoning questions: these ask how the argument is built, which often means describing the roles its parts play.
Three quick drills
Try each one before reading the answer. Identify the main conclusion.
1. The new library branch has longer hours than the old one. However, its collection is smaller. Therefore, students will use it less. Answer: “students will use it less” is the main conclusion. “However” pivots to the author's view, and “therefore” marks the conclusion.
2. The festival should move indoors. Attendance fell last year because of rain, and the forecast for this year is worse. Answer: “the festival should move indoors” is the main conclusion, even though it comes first and has no indicator. The two claims after it are premises, marked by “because.”
3. The mayor claims the budget is balanced. Yet spending rose in every department. Thus, the claim is false. Answer: “the claim is false” is the main conclusion. “Thus” introduces it, but note the trap: “spending rose” is a premise, not the conclusion, even though it is the most striking fact in the argument.
Common mistakes with indicator words
- Treating indicators as rules. If you label by word alone, the LSAT's pivot and intermediate-conclusion traps will catch you. Always confirm with the therefore test.
- Labeling background as premises. A sentence that sets context but supports nothing is not a premise. If removing it changes nothing about the argument's support, leave it unlabeled.
- Stopping at the first “therefore.” Arguments often contain two conclusions. The question usually asks about the main one. Check whether the “therefore” claim itself supports a later claim.
- Memorizing lists without practicing. The lists above are short on purpose. The skill is recognizing structure under time pressure, which comes from drilling real arguments, not from rereading the tables.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a premise indicator and a conclusion indicator?
A premise indicator, like “because” or “since,” signals that the claim that follows supports another claim. A conclusion indicator, like “therefore” or “thus,” signals that the claim that follows is being argued for.
Does “however” indicate a premise or a conclusion?
Neither, reliably. “However” is a pivot word: it marks a turn, often from someone else's view to the author's view. The main conclusion often comes right after it, but you have to read the sentence to be sure.
Can a conclusion indicator introduce an intermediate conclusion?
Yes. A claim marked by “therefore” can itself be supported by earlier premises and then used to support the main conclusion. Always check whether the “therefore” claim supports a later claim before calling it the main conclusion.
Do all LSAT arguments have indicator words?
No. Many arguments have no indicator word at all. In those cases, use the therefore test: the claim that reads like the natural takeaway is the conclusion. Asking “why should I believe this?” of each claim works too.
Should I memorize indicator word lists for the LSAT?
Learn the common ones in the tables above, but do not stop there. The LSAT rewards structure recognition under time pressure, so practice identifying premises and conclusions in real arguments. The lists are a starting aid, not the skill itself.