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therefore

there·fore [ ér fàwr ]


adverb 
Definition:
 
1. and so: and so, or because of that
This statement is true; therefore that statement must be false.

2. accordingly: accordingly, or to that purpose
We were forbidden to attend and therefore stayed at home.


Word Usage

Therefore and thus are both fairly formal words that introduce a statement that is a consequence of the previous statement. They should not be used as empty connectors when what follows them does not derive from what precedes them: Your grade on the test was 20 percent; therefore, you have failed. It is tautologous to use so therefore: just therefore is sufficient. Punctuation around therefore requires some care. There is no comma between clauses where therefore is in the second clause, but instead a semicolon or a new sentence: I had forgotten my key; therefore, I could not open the door.She left the library at 4 o'clock. She was therefore not there when the murder took place.

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