Hence

Hence is an English adverb that signals consequence or origin, most often meaning “for this reason” or “as a result.” In formal writing, it commonly functions as a conjunctive adverb, linking a premise to a conclusion. For example: “The data show a significant correlation; hence the hypothesis is supported.” In older or more literary usage, hence can also mean “from here” or “from this place,” as in phrases like “They moved hence” or “from hence to the end of the street.”

Etymology and history: Hence derives from Old English phrases meaning “from here” or “from this place.” Over time these phrases fused into a single word in Middle English, expanding in scope from a literal sense of location to a logical or causal sense. By the modern era, hence had become a standard marker of inference in formal writing.

Usage and nuance: Hence is relatively formal and can sound archaic or scholarly in everyday speech. It is common in scientific, philosophical, legal, and literary contexts, and is frequently used in mathematics and proofs to indicate a deduction: “Assume X; hence Y follows.” In everyday writing, alternatives such as therefore, thus, or consequently are often preferred for clarity and naturalness. The related term henceforth means “from this time forward.”

See also: therefore; thus; consequently; henceforth; whence.