Every therefore synonym links a cause to what follows from it, and the main choices are so, thus, hence, consequently and as a result. They differ in formality, in punctuation and in whether they point to a result or to a logical conclusion.
This page lists another word for therefore by job, walks through the punctuation that trips up so many students, and shows rewrites for essays and lab reports. Therefore is a transition word, so it has no true antonyms; contrast words like however do the opposite job.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
thus, so, hence, consequentlyPart of speech
Adverb (conjunctive adverb)Most formal
hence, thus, accordinglyMost casual
so, that's whyLogic words
it follows that, ergoAntonyms
None. For contrast use however or nevertheless.Watch out
Therefore cannot join two full sentences with a comma. Use a semicolon or a period.
Every therefore synonym sorted by job
| Job | Options | Model line |
|---|---|---|
| Report a result | consequently, as a result, accordingly | The pipe froze; consequently, the shop closed early. |
| Draw a conclusion | thus, hence, it follows that | All mammals breathe air. Whales are mammals, so it follows that whales breathe air. |
| Explain a choice | for this reason, that is why | Prices rose. For this reason, we changed suppliers. |
| Talk casually | so, which is why | I missed lunch, which is why I am starving. |
Commas, semicolons and where the word sits
Therefore is an adverb, not a conjunction. That means It rained, therefore we stayed indoors is a comma splice. Fix it in one of three ways:
- Semicolon: It rained; therefore, we stayed indoors.
- Period: It rained. Therefore, we stayed indoors.
- Swap to the conjunction so: It rained, so we stayed indoors.
Thus, hence and consequently follow the same rule. You can also tuck therefore inside a clause, we therefore stayed indoors, which sounds smooth in formal prose. After and, no extra punctuation is needed: and therefore cheaper.
The chips: from so to hence
So is natural in speech and fine in most writing. That is why adds a little emphasis. As a result reads plainly and suits most reports. Consequently is formal and stresses a chain of events. Hence is the stiffest and most compact, so save it for academic or technical text.
Thus, hence and consequently are not twins
Hence can stand before a bare noun: the roads were icy, hence the delay. Therefore cannot do that. Thus also means in this way: fold the paper thus. Consequently suits real-world effects more than pure logic. Accordingly suggests acting in a fitting way: the rules changed and we adjusted accordingly. Ergo is Latin and often sounds playful or showy outside a philosophy paper.
Essay sentences rewritten
- The sample was small; therefore, the results are limited becomes the sample was small, so the results are limited.
- Therefore, the hypothesis was rejected becomes the hypothesis was thus rejected.
- Sales fell, and therefore staff were cut becomes sales fell; as a result, staff were cut.
- Therefore, we can say that trade grew becomes it follows that trade grew.
- The bridge was weak, therefore it closed (wrong) becomes the bridge was weak, hence its closure.
A lab report used therefore four times in one paragraph. The writer kept one, changed one to thus, one to as a result, and cut the last because the logic was already obvious. Readers noticed the argument instead of the connectors.
The transition words hub has more links of this kind.
Words that only look like therefore
Thereby means by that means: he signed, thereby accepting the terms. Therefor, with no final e, is a legal spelling meaning for that thing. Furthermore adds a point rather than a result; see furthermore synonyms. However signals contrast, the opposite direction of travel. Because introduces the cause, not the effect, so swapping it in flips the sentence.
Frequently asked questions
Which word can replace therefore in an essay?
Thus, consequently and as a result all work. Choose thus for logic and consequently for real effects.
Is so less formal than therefore?
Slightly. So is acceptable in most writing, but many academic tutors prefer thus or therefore when the connector opens a sentence.
May a sentence begin with therefore?
Yes. Put a comma after it: Therefore, the plan failed. Just avoid starting several sentences in a row that way.
What is the difference between hence and therefore?
Both mark a conclusion, but only hence may sit directly before a bare noun phrase, as in hence the name. Therefore needs a full clause.
Does therefore have an antonym?
Not really, because it is a linking word. Contrast connectors such as however, yet and nevertheless point the other way.
Is ergo correct in formal writing?
It is correct but rare. In most essays it sounds affected, so use thus or it follows that unless you are writing about formal logic.