Therefore, conj. & adv.
Etymology: [OE. therfore. See There, and Fore, adv., For, and cf. Therefor.]
1. For that or this reason, referring to something previously stated; for that. I have married a wife, and therefore I can not come. Luke xiv. 20. Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore Matt. xix. 27.
2. Consequently; by consequence. He blushes; therefore he is guilty. Spectator.
Syn. -- See Then.
Shades of meaning
Therefore, signifying for that (or this) reason, is the most precise and formal word for expressing the direct conclusion of a chain of reasoning; then carries a similar but slighter sense of inference, which it gives incidentally rather than formally; as, "All men are mortal; Caesar is a man; therefore Caesar is mortal;" or, "The contract is awarded; then there is no more to be said." Consequently denotes a direct result, but more frequently of a practical than a theoretic kind; as, "Important matters demand my attention; consequently I shall not sail to-day." Consequently is rarely used in the formal conclusions of logic or mathematics, but marks rather the freer and looser style of rhetorical argument. Accordingly denotes correspondence, which may or may not be consequence; it is often used in narration; as, "The soldiers were eager and confident; accordingly they sprang forward at the word of command." Thence is a word of more sweeping inference than therefore, applying not merely to a single set of premises, but often to all that has gone before, including the reasonable inferences that have not been formally stated. Wherefore is the correlative of therefore, and whence of hence or thence, appending the inference or conclusion to the previous statement without a break. Compare synonyms for because.