therefore

USAGE SUMMARY

'therefore' is a perfectly usable word in written English.
You can use it to draw a conclusion from a set of facts or to indicate a consequence. For example: "It had been raining all day, therefore the ground was wet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective Congress.

The Guardian - Sport

We ask therefore that the privacy of his family is respected in the coming days.

The Guardian

Therefore European rules and regulations need to be subject to regular reviews just as national rules and regulations [do].

The Guardian

I currently include £2.5bn for all tax and spectrum fines etc in India and therefore this outcome would be positive from a valuation perspective.

The Guardian - Business

This absence is at least partially explained by the thorough discrediting of nationalism after nazism and the fact that, unlike further east, communist elites did not become corrupt nouveaux riches (and therefore the subject of a rightwing backlash, as in Hungary, for instance).

The Guardian - Opinion

We therefore have much to thank Snow for.

The Guardian - Opinion

The underlying issue, therefore, is the rival claims of king and would-be caliph.

The Guardian - Opinion

He dresses like a banker, therefore he thinks like a banker, which is how today's finance ministers are supposed to think.

The Guardian - Opinion

Senior managers within ONS therefore made the decision to leave the sentence as it is".

The Guardian

The choice of the next Labour leader in Scotland is therefore seen as critical to the party's chances of forming the next government, as well as its chances of reviving itself north of the border.

The Guardian

The business leaders who have joined the B Team have committed to practise what they preach in their own businesses and will therefore come under an unprecedented spotlight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "therefore" to clearly signal a logical consequence or conclusion drawn from preceding statements. Ensure the connection between the premises and the conclusion is evident to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "therefore" in overly simple sentences where the connection is already obvious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "so" or "thus" to maintain a natural flow.

How to use

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

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "therefore" is as a conjunctive adverb. It serves to connect two independent clauses, indicating that the second clause is a logical consequence or result of the first. Ludwig examples confirm its role in establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Opinion

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "therefore" is a conjunctive adverb used to indicate a logical consequence or conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. While it is very common, it is more frequently found in news and media, opinion pieces, and formal business contexts. When writing, be sure to use "therefore" to signal clear and logical relationships between your ideas but avoid overusing it in overly simple sentences. Alternatives like "consequently", "thus", and "as a result" can also be used to vary your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consequently

A more formal synonym, often used in academic or legal contexts.

thus

A slightly more literary or archaic synonym, implying a direct result.

hence

Similar to "thus", but may also suggest a starting point or origin.

as a result

A more descriptive phrase, explicitly stating the cause-and-effect relationship.

accordingly

Implies that something is done in a way that is suitable or fitting.

in consequence

A formal phrase that highlights the outcome of a prior action or condition.

for this reason

Specifically points to a preceding reason as the cause.

because of that

A more informal way of expressing the same causal relationship.

that being the case

Introduces a conclusion based on the previously stated situation.

it follows that

A logical term, often used to introduce a deduction.

FAQs

How to use "therefore" in a sentence?

"Therefore" connects two clauses, indicating that the second clause is a logical consequence of the first. For example: "The evidence was compelling; "therefore", the jury reached a guilty verdict."

What can I say instead of "therefore"?

You can use alternatives like "consequently", "thus", or "as a result" depending on the context.

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

While traditionally discouraged, starting a sentence with "therefore" is now widely accepted, especially in less formal writing. However, it's important to use it sparingly to avoid sounding overly stiff or pedantic.

What's the difference between "therefore" and "because"?

"Because" introduces a reason, while "therefore" introduces a consequence. "Because" explains why something is true, while "therefore" indicates what follows from something being true. For example: "I studied hard because I wanted to pass the exam. I passed the exam; "therefore", I was happy".