hence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'hence' is correct and usable in written English.
'Hence' is an adverb that is used to indicate that something follows as a logical consequence, for example: He had eaten a large lunch, hence he was not interested in dinner.

✓ 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

Consider the formality of your writing context. While "hence" is generally acceptable, "therefore" or "consequently" might be more appropriate for certain academic or formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "hence" when the relationship between two statements is not directly causal. Ensure a clear and logical connection exists before employing this term.

How to use

Learn how to use "hence" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "hence" is to act as an adverbial connector, linking two clauses by indicating that the second clause is a logical consequence of the first. As shown by Ludwig, it signals a cause-and-effect relationship between ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hence" is a versatile adverb that serves as a causal connector, indicating that one statement follows logically from another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage in news, business, and scientific contexts. While synonyms like "therefore" and "consequently" exist, "hence" maintains a unique presence in formal writing. Be mindful to use "hence" only when a clear causal relationship is present to avoid misuse. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times, mastering the use of "hence" can significantly enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

therefore

A direct synonym that indicates a logical consequence or conclusion.

consequently

Emphasizes that something happens as a result of a preceding event or condition.

thus

Indicates a result or conclusion, often used in formal or academic writing.

accordingly

Suggests that an action or decision is made in response to a particular situation.

as a result

A more explicit phrase that highlights the cause-and-effect relationship.

for this reason

Clearly states the justification or motive behind a particular outcome.

in consequence

A formal way to express that something follows as a natural or logical result.

ergo

A Latin term indicating a logical deduction or conclusion, typically used in philosophical contexts.

wherefore

An archaic term with meaning similar to 'therefore' and 'why'.

that being so

Indicates that because of what has just been stated, a particular outcome follows.

FAQs

How can I use "hence" in a sentence?

"Hence" is used to show a logical consequence or result. For example: "The weather was bad; hence, the game was canceled."

What are some alternatives to using "hence"?

You can use alternatives like "therefore", "consequently", or "thus" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "hence why"?

While "hence" already implies a reason, using "hence why" is often considered redundant. It is generally better to simply use "hence" or rephrase the sentence.

What is the difference between "hence" and "thence"?

"Hence" indicates a result or consequence, while "thence" refers to a place or time. For example, "He left; hence, I was alone" versus "He went to Paris; thence, to Rome."