Hence means “for this reason” or “that is why”. It introduces a result of what was said before and sounds formal: it is used in essays, articles and reports. It is often followed not by a full clause but by a single noun phrase: hence the name, meaning “that is why it is called that”.
How would you use hence?
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clause, hence the + noun; Sentence. Hence, + clause; clause; hence, + clause
- The new model uses much less energy, hence its popularity among small businesses.
- Few students had read the article in advance; hence, the discussion was rather short.
- The shop near us was closed all week, hence the empty fridge.
What changed
First versionTrain fares have almost doubled, from here the growing interest in coach travel.
RevisionTrain fares have almost doubled, hence the growing interest in coach travel.
From here may seem to say “this is where it comes from”, but from here only talks about place: The station is ten minutes from here. For a result, you need hence, and after it you can use just a noun phrase: hence the growing interest.
Hence is closest to therefore, but they are built differently. Therefore is followed by a full clause with a verb: The road was closed; therefore, we were late. Hence is often followed by a noun with no verb: The road was closed, hence the delay. In conversation, both sound bookish, and people usually say that's why.
Your turn
The café is next to three colleges, ___ the large number of students there at lunchtime.
Show the answer
hence — After the gap there is no verb, only the large number of students. A result like this can be introduced by hence. Therefore needs a full clause: therefore, there are many students there at lunchtime.
Write a sentence for an essay about work or city life. Name a change, and after hence give its result without a verb, as in hence the name.
Many companies now let employees work from home, hence the falling demand for office space in city centres.
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