"therefore" vs "hence"

Question

"therefore" vs "hence"

Both 'therefore' and 'hence' are adverbs that can be used to indicate a conclusion or a result. They are interchangeable in many contexts, but 'therefore' is more formal and is often used in academic or professional writing, while 'hence' is slightly less formal and more commonly used in everyday language.

Last Updated: March 24, 2024

It is commonly used in academic writing, formal reports, and professional contexts to show a cause-and-effect relationship or a logical result.

Examples:

He didn't study for the exam; therefore, he failed.
The experiment was successful; therefore, the hypothesis was correct.

Alternatives:

as a result
consequently
thus
henceforth

It is often used in everyday language to show a cause-and-effect relationship or a logical consequence, and it is more informal than 'therefore'.

Examples:

She was tired; hence, she decided to go to bed early.
The store is closed; hence, we need to find another place to shop.

Alternatives:

thus
consequently
as a result
therefore

Answer 1

therefore

The word 'therefore' is a formal adverb used to introduce a logical conclusion or consequence.

Answer 2

hence

The word 'hence' is a slightly less formal adverb used to indicate a conclusion or a result.

"therefore" vs "hence"

therefore

hence

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