hence the question

USAGE SUMMARY

"hence the question" is a correctly formed and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate a logical consequence or deduction, often introducing a question. For example, "The evidence leads to the conclusion that the accused is guilty; hence the question: how should we proceed from here?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hence the question mark.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hence, the question is one of ownership.

Stanford University

Hence the question, why hasn't it done so already?

The Guardian - Opinion

Hence the question: Do I really want to be integrated into a burning house?

The New Yorker

Hence the question: does this property apply also at a micro level?

Research Policy

Hence the question is, how different are master teachers from 'general Teachers?

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Hence the question posed in the title of this blog posting.

The Economist

Hence, the question arises: how do urban structures affect the shape and intensity of urban temperature conditions?

Science of The Total Environment

Hence, the question to be answered is that of how evolution lines are affected by this objective change.

Procedia Engineering

Ghaziani doesn't think that this has wiped gayborhoods off the map — hence the question mark in his book's title.

The New Yorker

Hence the question: Does the no-gifts-for-encore-brides-and-grooms-rule apply 25 years later?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hence the question" to clearly signal that the question you are about to ask is a direct and logical consequence of the preceding statement. Ensure the connection between the statement and the question is evident to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "hence the question" if the question is not a direct and logical outcome of the preceding statement. Ensure that the question naturally arises from what has been previously stated to maintain coherence and avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hence the question" is as a causal connector. It serves to introduce a question that arises as a direct result or logical consequence of the information presented prior. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

27%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Hence the question" is a widely used phrase that serves as a causal connector, bridging a statement and a logically derived question. According to Ludwig, it is deemed grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, especially in scientific, academic, and news-related writing. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear and direct relationship between the preceding statement and the ensuing question. Alternatives such as "consequently, the question arises" can be used to vary expression. This phrase enjoys notable presence across authoritative sources like ScienceDirect, The New York Times, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Consequently, the question arises

Replaces "hence" with "consequently", emphasizing the direct result leading to the question.

Therefore, the question becomes

Substitutes "hence" with "therefore", highlighting the logical deduction prompting the question.

Thus, we must ask

Employs "thus" instead of "hence", presenting a more concise transition to the ensuing inquiry.

Accordingly, the inquiry is

Uses "accordingly" in place of "hence", suggesting a proportional or corresponding relationship to the question.

As a result, the issue at hand is

Replaces "hence the question" with a phrase indicating that the question emerges as a direct consequence.

The logical question then is

Adds "logical" to stress the reasoning behind the question, subtly altering the tone.

The subsequent question is

Focuses on the sequential nature of the question, differing slightly from the causality implied by "hence".

It begs the question

Implies the question is unavoidable given the circumstances; less direct than "hence".

This raises the question of

Focuses on the act of "raising" a question, shifting the emphasis from the direct consequence.

We are left to wonder

Expresses contemplation rather than direct questioning, offering a less assertive alternative.

FAQs

How do I use "hence the question" in a sentence?

Use "hence the question" to introduce a question that logically follows from a preceding statement. For example, "The data shows a significant increase in errors; "hence the question": how do we mitigate these errors?"

What can I say instead of "hence the question"?

You can use alternatives such as "consequently, the question arises", "therefore, the question becomes", or "thus, we must ask" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. See our "related phrases section" for more alternatives.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "hence the question"?

While it's grammatically correct, starting a sentence directly with "hence the question" can feel abrupt. It is generally better to use it to connect a question to a preceding statement within the same sentence or paragraph to ensure smooth flow and clear logical connection.

What's the difference between "hence the question" and "therefore the question"?

"Hence the question" and "therefore the question" are very similar, but "hence" often implies a more direct and immediate consequence than "therefore". Use them interchangeably but note the subtle difference in emphasis.