Therefor or Therefore | Spelling, Difference & Definition
Therefore and therefor (spelled without an “e”) are two different words.
- Therefore is a commonly used adverb meaning “consequently.”
- The word therefor is rarely used in modern English, except in legal contexts. It means “for that,” or “in exchange for that.”
| Therefore in a sentence | Therefor in a sentence |
|---|---|
| She spent a few years in France and therefore speaks good French. | The Investigator shall assess the damages and determine the persons liable therefor. |
| Therefore, the decision was made to postpone the event. | The Landlord shall provide the keys and reserves the right to charge a security deposit therefor. |
Therefor meaning
Nowadays, the adverb therefor is only really used in legal English. If you use it in other contexts, it has a very old-fashioned, formal effect.
“Therefor” means “for that,” “as a result of that,” or “in exchange for that,” and is not normally used at the beginning of a sentence or clause. It is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable [therefor].
The Vendor shall deliver the ordered software products and will invoice the Client for the license fees therefor. [“Therefor” means “for the software products”]
Therefore meaning
Therefore means “consequently” or “as a result.” It is a conjunctive adverb that links two ideas or sentences. You pronounce it with the stress on the first syllable [therefore].
Additional time is required. Therefore, the decision will be delayed until next month.
Therefore punctuation
Put a comma after “therefore” if you use it in the following ways.
- At the beginning of a sentence
- At the beginning of an independent clause immediately after a semicolon
You don’t need to use a comma before “therefore” if it is part of a compound predicate with two verbs (i.e., the two verbs are “sharing” the same subject).
- Therefore, the delivery will be delayed. [Beginning of sentence]
- Therefore the delivery will be delayed.
- The item is not in stock; therefore, the delivery will be delayed. [Beginning of independent clause after a semicolon]
- The item is not in stock; therefore the delivery will be delayed.
- The item was damaged and therefore could not be shipped. [The main verbs “damage” and “ship” are sharing the same subject (“item”)]
- The item was damaged, and therefore could not be shipped.
Putting commas before and after “therefore” midsentence emphasizes the information that comes before it. So only do it if this is your intention; otherwise, it will unnecessarily break the flow of the sentence.
The main office, therefore, will be closed on Mondays. [Emphasizes “main office” (e.g., to communicate that other parts of the building are open)]
Frequently asked questions about therefor or therefore
- How do you use therefore in a sentence?
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Therefore is a conjunctive adverb meaning “consequently” and links two ideas to describe a result. It is spelled with an “e” at the end (therefore and therefor are two different words).
In American English, if “therefore” is used at the beginning of a sentence or independent clause, it needs a comma after it.
Therefore at the beginning of a sentence example The office is closed next week. Therefore, there will be some delay in replying to emails.Don’t put a comma before or after “and therefore” if it is part of a compound predicate (i.e., the two verbs are “sharing” the same subject).
Therefore in a compound predicate example The product was damaged and therefore reduced in price. [Verbs sharing the subject, “the product”]If you use “therefore” midsentence to deliberately “interrupt” the flow of the sentence for emphasis, it needs commas before and after it. But bear in mind that this will emphasize the information that comes before it.
Therefore used for emphasis example The office is closed next week. Calls, therefore, will not be answered. [“Calls” is emphasized, e.g., to communicate that emails will be answered]Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to help you use “therefore” correctly in your writing.
- Do you put a comma before or after therefore?
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Therefore often needs a comma after it.
In American English, if “therefore” is used at the beginning of a sentence or independent clause, it needs a comma after it.
Therefore at the beginning of a sentence example The office is closed next week. Therefore, there will be some delay in replying to emails.Don’t put a comma before or after “and therefore” if it is part of a compound predicate (i.e., the two verbs are “sharing” the same subject).
Therefore in a compound predicate example The product was damaged and therefore reduced in price. [Verbs sharing the subject, “the product”]If you use “therefore” midsentence to deliberately “interrupt” the flow of a sentence for emphasis, it needs commas before and after it. But bear in mind that this will emphasize the information that comes before it.
Therefore used for emphasis example The office is closed next week. Calls, therefore, will not be answered. [“Calls” is emphasized, e.g., to communicate that emails will be answered]Note that therefore and therefor are two different words. “Therefor” doesn’t generally need commas before or after it.
Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to help you punctuate “therefore” correctly in your writing.
