How to Use the Word 'Therefore' in Sentences

‘Therefore’ is a conjunction you can use to link sentences or paragraphs. It indicates a cause-and-effect relationship between independent clauses, which means it should not be used to begin a paragraph or to add a clause on its own. When incorporating 'therefore' into your writing, keep a few things in mind to ensure its correct usage. Additionally, there are some common mistakes to avoid when using 'therefore'.

Use 'therefore' to express a cause-and-effect relationship. The word 'therefore' is not suitable for every sentence. It carries a very specific meaning and is only appropriate in certain contexts. To remember when to use 'therefore' correctly, consider whether the sentence demonstrates a cause-and-effect relationship. In other words, does one clause lead to or cause the other? If not, 'therefore' may not be appropriate for that sentence.

• For example, you can use 'therefore' to show a causal link between two clauses: 'John studied hard for the math exam. He got an A+'. The revised sentence would be: 'John studied hard for the math exam. Therefore, he got an A+.'
• Another example is: 'People who exercise regularly enjoy better health. You should exercise.' The inclusion of 'therefore' strengthens the connection between the ideas: 'People who exercise regularly enjoy better health. Therefore, you should exercise.'

Replace Similar Connectors with "Therefore". You can use "therefore" to substitute for certain words and phrases, but it’s important to verify the meaning first. Not all conjunctions can be swapped with "therefore".

• For example: "Sally passed her drive test. As a result, she received her driver's license." You can replace "as a result" with "therefore" since they carry the same meaning.
• Don’t use "therefore" to replace coordinating conjunctions in most cases. Coordinating conjunctions like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so each have specific meanings, and they can’t be used interchangeably with "therefore". Always check the meaning of a word or phrase before using it in a sentence.

Add "Therefore" to Improve Sentence Flow. Inserting "therefore" into your writing can be an excellent way to enhance sentence flow. A sentence or paragraph might feel choppy without a transition word, but adding a connector like "therefore" can resolve this issue. Try reading your text aloud to identify where transitions are needed, and then check if "therefore" fits the situation.

• For example, these sentences sound abrupt: "The weather was hot. He wore shorts and a T-shirt to school." Adding a transition like "therefore" makes the sentence smoother: "The weather was hot. Therefore, he wore shorts and a T-shirt to school."

Always use a comma after "Therefore". "Therefore" is always followed by a comma. This is because, naturally, we tend to pause after "therefore" when it’s added to a sentence. Without the comma, the sentence might feel rushed to the reader.

• For example, in the sentence: "I love spending time in nature. Therefore I go camping every summer." The absence of a comma makes the pause after "therefore" feel abrupt. However, adding the comma gives the reader a natural pause: "I love spending time in nature. Therefore, I go camping every summer."

Use a Semicolon (;) before "Therefore" to Separate Independent Clauses. If you place "therefore" in the middle of a sentence to separate two independent clauses, a semicolon is necessary. In other words, if each part of the sentence could stand alone as an independent sentence, put a semicolon at the end of the first clause, followed by "therefore," then a comma before continuing the sentence.

• For example: "Marcus loves to travel with his family; therefore, he is constantly on the lookout for low-cost airfares."

Capitalize the word “therefore” when it begins a sentence. Whenever “therefore” is at the start of a sentence, it should be capitalized. However, you do not need to capitalize it in other cases within a sentence.

Use “therefore” to separate independent clauses. You can use “therefore” to link two independent clauses in a sentence, but it should not be used in sentences with dependent clauses. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence or can be separated with a semicolon.

• For example, “therefore” can be used to separate two clauses like this: “California is a coastal state. It has many beaches.” (California is a coastal state. It has many beaches). It could be rewritten as: “California is a coastal state; therefore, it has many beaches.” (California is a coastal state; therefore, it has many beaches).
• In some cases, you may also start a sentence with “therefore”. For instance: “June’s car broke down on her way to work. Therefore, she was late for the meeting.” (June's car broke down on the way to work. Therefore, she was late for the meeting).
• Remember that “therefore” must come between two independent clauses, not follow one.

Limit the use of “therefore”. “Therefore” is not a word to use too frequently in writing. It's best to limit its use and pay attention not to overuse it. You can opt for other linking words to make your sentences more varied, such as: “so”, “then”, “accordingly”, “consequently”, “thus”, or “since”.

• For example, you could replace “therefore” with “thus” in the previous sentence: “California is a coastal state; thus, it has many beaches.” (California is a coastal state; thus, it has many beaches).
• Always be sure that the word or phrase you choose as a substitute carries the same meaning as “therefore” in the sentence. If you’re uncertain, look up the meaning of that word on reliable websites like: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/574/.

Use “therefore” in written language, not in spoken language. “Therefore” is less commonly used in spoken language, as it sounds overly formal in everyday conversations. Therefore, you should avoid using it in most verbal exchanges and opt for more common linking words like “so” or “then”.

• For example, it would sound awkward to say: “It was raining when I left for work this morning, therefore I needed my raincoat.” (It was raining when I left for work this morning, therefore I needed my raincoat).
• This rule has an exception, though: when giving a speech or presentation.