"therefore" - which one to use?

Question

Hi there, I was wondering what the difference is between using "donc" and "du coup" or "par consequent". I seem to keep mixing these up. Whenever I look them up, they seem to be interchangeable but when I complete the exercises, this is not the case.

Here's the context: Du coup, je n'ai pas arrêté une minute aujourd'hui, pour que tout soit prêt à temps.

Thanks for your help

Accepted Answer

There are some subtle nuances and differences in usage depending on the register used, but basically they are all ways of saying "therefore", "consequently", or "and so...".
Of the three, du coup is the most colloquial and the least precise. It is sometimes used as a fill phrase. Here is a specific page on it:
 https://www.lawlessfrench.com/expressions/du-coup/