You’ve probably come across the word “therefore” in an article or heard it in a conversation. But what is it? In simple terms, “therefore” helps you sum up a situation or deliver a conclusion. Read the entire article to know everything you need about “therefore.”
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What Is Therefore?
“Therefore” is an adverb – a conjunctive adverb, to be specific – that means “and that’s why” or “because of this.” Unlike regular adverbs, conjunctive adverbs modify clauses, as well as make a connection between independent clauses (for instance, show the cause and effect or contrast of the thought). Here are other conjunctive adverbs:
- However
- Thus
- Consequently
- Nevertheless
- Hence
- Meanwhile
Examples of Therefore in a Sentence:
Seeing the word “therefore” used correctly in a sentence might help you understand it better.
- I won the Powerball; therefore, this is my two weeks’ notice.
- Halloween is on a Wednesday; therefore, trick-or-treating is on Friday night.
- The blizzard has made travel impossible. Therefore, today will be an e-learning day.
- She discovered he had a secret life and, therefore, canceled the wedding.
- The car was not fixable. Therefore, the insurance company totaled it.
- There was a warning for heavy rainfall today. Therefore, many people brought their umbrellas.
- High stress levels can increase heart disease risk in adult life; therefore, stress management is crucial.
When and How Do You Use the Word Therefore?
You can use the word, therefore, in academic writing, such as in a thesis or report. But how do you use therefore in a sentence? Here are a couple of ways.
- You can start a sentence with therefore, but only if you have preceded that sentence with another sentence of exposition, such as in the third example above.
- When you are joining two independent clauses, like in the first example, “therefore” is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.
- You can also use “therefore” bracketed by commas when you’re using it for emphasis. For example, “He has, therefore, resigned from the race.”
Tip: Watch out for comma splice because it can disrupt the flow of your sentences. Need help with commas? Read our When to Use a Comma guide.
Common Mistakes of Using Therefore
1. Placing “therefore” in the wrong location in the sentence: You must have information sandwiching “therefore” to use the adverb correctly.
Incorrect: I broke my ankle. Therefore, I roller-skated for the first time.
Correct: I roller-skated for the first time. Therefore, I broke my ankle.
2. Overusing: If you’re trying to sound academic or formal, you might be tempted to overuse this word. Use synonyms to keep it from being too repetitive or boring.
3. Not enough context: “Therefore” connects two clauses or thoughts. You have the before action, therefore, and then the consequence. If you don’t explain what happened well enough, it might be confusing.
Therefore vs Therefor: Are They Different?
You might see the word “therefor,” but generally, you should not use it. It’s an antiquated word that means “for this” or “for that” common in a historical, legal, or financial document. So, you should probably use “therefore” instead of “therefor.”
Final Thoughts
When used properly, “therefore” can be a powerful transitional statement used to highlight a point you’re trying to make. Remember, the word “therefore” is a formal way to say “and that’s why” or “and for that reason.”
