Therefore vs. therefor: Which one should you use

The word, therefore, has three different meanings, which can make it difficult to choose it in your writing. One of the meanings, therefore, is a connective word that’s used to show the result of something in the previous sentence or clause. In this lesson, we’ll give examples of sentences as transitional words and explain what you should use instead.

if you don’t want to use this meaning, therefore. We’ll also give examples of sentences with therefor as an instrumental preposition and explain what you should use instead if you don’t want to use this meaning of,

The definition

Therefore is rarely used in modern English and is more likely to be found in legal, administrative, or academic contexts than in spoken or written language. The key to using therefore correctly is paying attention to whether it is followed by a comma or a semicolon:

if it is followed by a comma then the word therefore can be omitted and understood; if it is followed by a semicolon then it cannot be omitted but still doesn’t need the word, therefore.

Therefore, is a word that can take different forms in different contexts. It is sometimes used as a synonym for hence, but it is also frequently used as a conjunction meaning for that reason or consequently and has other meanings too, some of which depend on whether it takes a comma before it or not;

furthermore, there is an even rarer meaning in legal texts where it means as a result.

The Grammar Tip

Therefore, can only be used as a conjunction, whereas can be used as both a conjunction and an adverb.

Therefore is an archaic term, meaning in return for or as a result of—basically, it’s used to convey cause and effect when describing a transaction of goods or services. This was common practice in old English (think and he did bake three pies t  for thy birthday feast), but today it’s more commonly seen in legal documents due to their antiquated writing style.

If you want to sound professional and avoid making grammar mistakes, stick with it,   You should also know that no matter how much context demands otherwise, never combine both not and never in your documents!

Exercise 1 – Spot the difference between therefor and therefore

Spot the difference between these two words, and write which word would be more appropriate in this sentence: We reserve the right to refuse any order from a customer who we reasonably believe is not the account holder of a said bank account.

Use your answer below to complete this sentence: We reserve the right to refuse any order from a customer who we reasonably believe is not the account holder of a said bank account.

The difference between therefore is whether or not it contains an apostrophe. When they are spelled with an apostrophe, they are spelled as 2 different words. However, when they are spelled without an apostrophe, they are considered a single word with 3 syllables.

Exercise 2 – What is the biggest difference between therefor and therefore?

means this serves instead of or other words, for. It’s pronounced like ferrous metal objects floating around the Earth due to the force of gravity.

There are two different ways to spell it; with an R or without. For example, means due to this reason, and is only ever spelled without an R (i.e., like Frank Zappa).

The biggest difference between therefore and is that a  is always followed by a noun, while in other words, a, therefore, can be followed by another verb. There are three reasons why it’s important to know how to spell and use both of these words correctly (in their proper place).

First, incorrectly using these two words together could confuse or frustrate your readers because they won’t understand what you’re trying to say. Secondly, if editors catch an error like that in an early draft of your paper, they may think less of your writing skills than they otherwise would have.

Exercise 3 – Pick up your pen!

Here are two sentences that illustrate the difference between therefore and. The first sentence contains a, therefore.

The second sentence does not contain a, therefore but instead uses a different word, namely consequently. These two sentences will help distinguish the correct usage of the words and consequently.

He had returned home because he couldn’t study at school, so he was falling behind in his classes.

He had returned home because he couldn’t study at school; consequently, he was falling behind in his classes.

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