Hence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Hence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a conclusion or result based on previously stated information. Example: "The project was completed ahead of schedule; hence, we were able to allocate resources to other tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A standard charge against the EU promoting democracy is that the union itself is not democratic – hence Brussels is at best hypocritical.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hence neither the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, nor Romania's Victor Ponta are right to accuse Brussels of euro-colonialism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hence her article, in which she did mention O'Brien.

The Guardian

Guyana is below sea-level at high tide (hence the muddy rivers) and so a protective sea wall stretches for miles and buildings are slightly raised from the ground.

The Guardian - Travel

This cottage (the owner is planning to build more, hence the plural name) is a few steps from the beach, with a fantastic, sweeping view of the Caribbean from its elevated deck.

The Guardian - Travel

Immediately I thought, "If one's good, why not all four?" Hence my first novel, O Father Abraham, How Did You Get So Gladsome?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Marine scientists maintain the capture process imposes huge physiological stress upon dolphins and increases their chances of dying once they are in captivity – hence the need to constantly replenish stocks from the wild.

The Guardian

Big cuts to the budget now have the potential to slow that recovery and hence the recovery of tax revenue.

The Guardian - Opinion

All of these social groups will point out that the recession was caused in part by greedy developers who overheated the property market and hence the entire economy thanks also to loans from their chums in the main Irish banks.

The Guardian

Hence it is important to be clear where the dangers lie exactly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Contact lenses are medical devices and soft contacts tend to be packaged in small sterilised containers filled with fluid, which over time (hence the expiration date) can become contaminated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Hence" to introduce a logical conclusion or result that directly follows from a previous statement. It strengthens the cause-and-effect relationship within your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "hence" merely as a replacement for "because". "Hence" indicates a logical deduction or consequence, not simply a reason. Ensure the preceding statement genuinely leads to the conclusion you're introducing with "hence".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Hence" is to serve as an adverbial connector. It links two clauses or sentences, indicating that the second is a logical consequence or result of the first. Ludwig AI shows that "Hence" is commonly used to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Hence" is a versatile adverbial connector used to indicate a logical consequence or result. It's considered grammatically correct and is frequently found in diverse contexts, especially in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its role in establishing cause-and-effect relationships. While alternatives like "therefore" and "consequently" exist, "Hence" provides a clear and concise way to connect ideas. Remember to use it when a genuine logical deduction is being presented, avoiding its misuse as a simple substitute for "because".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Therefore

A direct synonym, indicating a logical conclusion.

Consequently

Highlights the result or effect of a previous action or statement.

Thus

Similar to "therefore", but can also indicate the manner in which something is done.

Accordingly

Implies that the following action or statement is in agreement or conformity with what precedes it.

As a result

Directly states that the following is a consequence of the preceding statement.

For this reason

Explicitly states the cause-and-effect relationship.

In consequence

A more formal way of saying "as a result".

Ergo

A more formal and somewhat archaic term for "therefore".

Wherefore

An archaic term, similar to "therefore" or "for what reason".

That being so

Indicates that the following statement is true because of the preceding information.

FAQs

How can I use "Hence" in a sentence?

"Hence" is typically used to introduce a conclusion or result that logically follows from the previous statement. For example: "The evidence was compelling; "hence", the jury reached a quick verdict."

What can I say instead of "Hence"?

Alternatives to "Hence" include "therefore", "consequently", "thus", or "as a result", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "Hence"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "Hence" can sound formal. It's generally preferred to use it within a sentence to connect ideas smoothly. However, starting a sentence is permissible for emphasis.

What's the difference between "Hence" and "Thus"?

Both "Hence" and "Thus" indicate a consequence or result. "Hence" often implies a more direct and immediate logical conclusion, while "thus" can sometimes suggest a more general or descriptive result.