Practice
Adverbs of reason: examples and punctuation
The road was closed. Therefore, we took the train. The first sentence gives the reason. Therefore tells the reader what happened because of that reason.
Use therefore, consequently, thus, and hence to connect a known reason to its result, and use because when the sentence needs to state the reason directly.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
therefore /ˈðer.fɔːr/
The short answer
Use therefore, consequently, thus, or hence after you have given a cause and want to show its result. Use because when you want to state why something happened. When a conjunctive adverb joins two complete sentences, use a period or a semicolon before it, and usually a comma after it.
The office was closed; therefore, we returned the next day.
Why it works: The closure is the reason. Therefore introduces the result, returning the next day.
5 more examples
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The forecast warned of ice; consequently, the school delayed its opening.
The forecast is the cause. The delayed opening is its result.
Not this:The school delayed its opening
becausethe forecast warned of ice. What changes: Because introduces the reason directly after the result. -
The files were incomplete. Therefore, the team could not finish the review.
The missing information explains why the review could not finish.
Not this:The team could not finish the review
becausethe files were incomplete. What changes: This sentence gives the result first and names its reason with because. -
The package arrived after the deadline; thus, the request could not be processed that day.
Thus points to the practical result of the late arrival.
Not this:
Becausethe package arrived after the deadline, the request could not be processed that day. What changes: Because begins the cause clause. -
The museum is closed on Mondays; hence, our visit is planned for Tuesday.
Hence is a more formal choice that introduces the result of the closing schedule.
Not this:Our visit is planned for Tuesday
becausethe museum is closed on Mondays. What changes: Because gives the reason for the Tuesday plan. -
The password was entered incorrectly three times. As a result, the account was locked.
As a result is an adverbial phrase that works like therefore in this sentence.
Not this:The account was locked
becausethe password was entered incorrectly three times. What changes: The cause follows because in the same sentence.
Read the full guide
First, find the direction of the idea. If the sentence begins with a cause and moves to a result, a word such as therefore can help. If you need to answer the question why inside one sentence, because is usually the clearer choice.
Find the cause and the result
A result adverb helps a reader follow the connection between two ideas. The cause comes first. The adverb introduces what follows from that cause.
The train was canceled. Therefore, we worked from home.
The cancellation is the cause. Working from home is the result.
Which fact is the result: the canceled train or working from home?
Working from home is the result, so therefore can introduce that part of the idea.
Use because for a direct reason
Because answers why. It introduces a reason clause, so it does not need the same punctuation pattern as a conjunctive adverb. You can put the reason after the result or before it.
We worked from home because the train was canceled.
Because introduces the reason, the canceled train. The main clause gives the result.
Complete the sentence: I left early ___ I had a doctor appointment.
Use because: I left early because I had a doctor appointment.
Punctuate result adverbs
Therefore and similar words cannot usually join two complete sentences with only a comma. Use a period to begin a new sentence, or use a semicolon when the two sentences belong closely together. Put a comma after the adverb when it begins the result clause.
The form was missing a signature; therefore, the office returned it.
The semicolon separates two complete sentences. Therefore introduces the result in the second sentence.
Choose the better punctuation: The form was incomplete, therefore, the office returned it. Or: The form was incomplete; therefore, the office returned it.
Use the semicolon version. A comma alone does not normally separate the two complete sentences here.
Choose a word that fits the situation
Therefore is common in formal writing. Consequently often sounds more formal. Thus and hence also occur in formal writing. In a quick conversation, so may be the simpler choice. The connection stays the same: a reason leads to a result.
The store had no stock, so I ordered the item online.
In a more formal report, you could write: The store had no stock; therefore, I ordered the item online.
Which word is likely to sound more natural in a short text message: therefore or so?
So is usually more natural in a short, informal message.
Edit the sentence boundary
When you revise a sentence with therefore, look at the words before and after it. If both sides could stand as full sentences, add the punctuation that shows the boundary. Then check that the second sentence is truly a result of the first.
The payment was not confirmed. As a result, the order remained pending.
The first sentence gives the reason. The second sentence gives the outcome.
Revise this sentence: The lights failed, therefore, the room became dark.
Write: The lights failed; therefore, the room became dark. You can also use a period before Therefore.
Before you go
Remember this
Give the cause first, then use therefore, consequently, thus, hence, or as a result to show what follows. Use because to introduce the cause directly. When a result adverb sits between two complete sentences, protect the boundary with a period or a semicolon.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Adverbs of reason: examples and punctuation"
Are therefore and because interchangeable?
No. Therefore introduces a result after a cause has been stated. Because introduces the reason itself. Compare: The road was closed; therefore, we turned back. We turned back because the road was closed.
The forecast warned of ice; consequently, the school delayed its opening.
Is therefore an adverb or a conjunction?
Therefore is an adverb. When it connects complete sentences, grammar references often call it a conjunctive adverb. It needs a period or semicolon before it rather than only a comma.
The school delayed its opening because the forecast warned of ice.
Can I use a comma before therefore?
A comma alone usually cannot join two complete sentences before therefore. Write two sentences, or use a semicolon before therefore. A comma normally follows therefore when it begins the result clause.
The files were incomplete. Therefore, the team could not finish the review.
What is the difference between consequently and therefore?
Both can introduce a result. Consequently often has a more formal tone and may draw attention to the outcome. Therefore is also common in formal explanations. Choose the word that makes the connection clear without making an everyday sentence sound too formal.
The team could not finish the review because the files were incomplete.
Can I use so instead of therefore?
Often, yes. So is common in conversation and informal writing. Therefore is more formal and needs more careful punctuation when it links complete sentences. Check the sentence boundary before choosing it.
The package arrived after the deadline; thus, the request could not be processed that day.