Thus

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'Thus' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a result is a consequence of what has been stated before. For example, you could say: "He had not prepared for the exam, thus he failed it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was ever thus.

The New York Times

As a result, the country lost a further 21 positions in the policy evaluation compared to last year, thus replacing Canada as the worst-performing industrial country".

The Guardian

It wasn't always thus.

The New York Times - Travel

In the phrase "It was he," "it" and "he" are the same thing: they're both the subject, and thus nominative.

The Economist

It was not always thus.

The New York Times

One example is the Advanced Market Commitment tool, where donors pledge to purchase developing country disease-focused vaccines or medicines, giving companies a commercial buyer and thus a reason to risk their R&D investment and product development.

The Guardian

Thus do peaches and nectarines turn into issues involving debt mountains, military no-go zones and historic ethnic rivalries.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thus it was able to predict "double-digit" enhancement to earnings in the first year of ownership; if achieved, that would be a good start.

The Guardian

Nuno believes Spanish players are unused to that style and its rarity in Spain can thus make its impact even greater.

The Guardian - Sport

Cathars ambushed him in a forest and killed him – thus giving the official church even more excuse to persecute "heretics".

The Guardian - Arts

Thus that inaugural series was played in dowdy whites with coloured stripes down the side.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Thus" to create a clear and direct link between a cause and its effect, ensuring the relationship is easily understood by the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "Thus" excessively in casual or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "so" or "therefore" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Thus" is as a conjunctive adverb. It serves to connect two independent clauses, indicating that the second clause is a consequence or result of the first. As Ludwig AI indicates, "Thus" is correct and usable in written English to show a resulting action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Thus" is a conjunctive adverb used to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship or logical consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed in formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. While highly effective for establishing clear connections between ideas, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives like "therefore" or "so" in informal settings. The phrase is frequently found in authoritative sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Economist, underscoring its credibility and widespread acceptance in formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Therefore

A more formal synonym indicating a logical conclusion.

Consequently

Emphasizes that something is a direct result of a previous action or statement.

Hence

Similar to "therefore" but can sometimes imply a more immediate consequence.

As a result

A more explicit way of stating a cause-and-effect relationship.

Accordingly

Suggests that an action or decision is made in agreement with what has been established.

Ergo

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

So

A simpler, more informal way to indicate a result or conclusion.

For this reason

Highlights the specific justification leading to a particular outcome.

In consequence

Emphasizes the resulting impact or effect.

That being the case

Introduces a conclusion based on the previously stated circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "Thus" in a sentence?

"Thus" connects a cause and effect or indicates a logical consequence. For example, "The experiment was successful; "thus", the hypothesis is supported."

What words are similar to "Thus"?

Alternatives to "Thus" include "therefore", "consequently", "hence", and "as a result".

Is it okay to start a sentence with "Thus"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "Thus", especially to emphasize a consequence or logical progression from the previous statement.

What is the difference between "Thus" and "Therefore"?

While both indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, "Thus" can sometimes imply a more direct or immediate consequence, whereas "therefore" often introduces a broader logical conclusion.