Therefore vs. Therefor — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 29, 2024
"Therefore" signifies a conclusion or result from the given information, while "therefor" is an archaic term meaning "for that" or "for it," used in legal and formal documents.
Difference Between Therefore and Therefor
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Key Differences
"Therefore" is commonly used in both spoken and written English to indicate a logical conclusion or the consequence of a set of premises. On the other hand, "therefor" is much less common in everyday language and is primarily found in legal, formal, or older texts.
Therefore serves as a transition that introduces the result of what has been previously stated, showing causation or reasoning. Therefor is often used in the context of payments, exchanges, or legal documents, such as "She paid the fee therefor," meaning she paid the fee for that.
The distinction between the two also highlights the evolution of language and the way certain words fall out of general usage while others remain central to discourse. "Therefore" is a crucial conjunction that facilitates logical progression in sentences, while "therefor" represents a specialized term whose usage is confined to specific contexts.
Despite their similar spellings and origins, "therefore" and "therefor" fulfill different roles in English, with "therefore" being indispensable for expressing logical relations and "therefor" serving a niche, mostly formal purpose.
Comparison Chart
Meaning
Indicates a conclusion or result
Means "for that" or "for it"
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Usage
Common in everyday and academic language
Rare, used in legal and formal contexts
Example Sentence
"It was cold, therefore we lit a fire."
"The documents were signed, payment therefor was made."
Function
Conjunction to show causation or reasoning
Preposition used in the context of payments or legal documents
Contemporary Use
Widely used
Limited, archaic
Compare with Definitions
Therefore
Conclusion introducer.
The project is overdue; therefore, extra resources are required.
Therefor
Formal agreement language.
She delivered the goods agreed upon, receiving the sum therefor.
Therefore
Reasoning tool.
He was the only candidate, therefore he won by default.
Therefor
For that payment.
The invoice was issued, and the payment therefor received.
Therefore
Logical connector.
The road was icy, therefore hazardous.
Therefor
Legal document term.
He exchanged land therefor.
Therefore
Consequence indicator.
She studied hard, therefore she passed her exams.
Therefor
Archaic usage.
The deed grants him rights therefor.
Therefore
Argument clarifier.
Therefore, we must consider alternative solutions.
Therefor
Specified transaction.
The fee therefor was considered reasonable.
Therefore
For that reason or cause; consequently or hence.
Therefor
For that object or purpose.
Therefore
(conjunctive) Consequently, by or in consequence of that or this cause; referring to something previously stated.
Traditional values will always have a place. Therefore, they will never lose relevance.
Therefor
For that
Ordering goods and enclosing payment therefor.
Therefore
For that; for it (in reference to a previous statement)
Therefor
For that; in return for that.
Therefore
For that or this reason, referring to something previously stated; for that.
I have married a wife, and therefore I can not come.
Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Therefor
For that, or this; for it.
With certain officers ordained therefore.
Therefore
Consequently; by consequence.
He blushes; therefore he is guilty.
Therefor
(in formal usage, especially legal usage) for that or for it;
Ordering goods and enclosing payment therefor
A refund therefor
Therefore
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result;
Therefore X must be true
The eggs were fresh and hence satisfactory
We were young and thence optimistic
It is late and thus we must go
The witness is biased and so cannot be trusted
Therefore
As a consequence;
He had good reason to be grateful for the opportunities which they had made available to him and which consequently led to the good position he now held
Common Curiosities
Why is "therefor" rarely used today?
"Therefor" has fallen out of general use due to its formal and specific nature, making it mostly restricted to legal and official documents.
Do other languages have similar distinctions as "therefore" and "therefor"?
Many languages have words that function similarly to "therefore" as logical connectors, but the specific distinction like "therefor" is unique to English.
Can "therefore" and "therefor" be used interchangeably?
No, they serve different purposes and cannot be substituted for one another without altering the sentence's meaning.
How should "therefore" be integrated into a sentence?
"Therefore" is typically used after a comma to introduce a conclusion or result based on the preceding information.
Can "therefore" start a sentence?
Yes, "therefore" can start a sentence when it introduces a conclusion drawn from statements made in previous sentences.
Is "therefor" still relevant in modern writing?
While its usage is limited, "therefor" remains relevant in specific contexts like legal writing and formal documents where precise language is crucial.
Is "therefor" a typo of "therefore"?
No, "therefor" is not a typo but a distinct word with its own meaning and usage, though it is much less common than "therefore."
How can I remember the difference between "therefore" and "therefor"?
Associate "therefore" with "for that reason" and "therefor" with "for that thing," which helps in recalling their distinct uses.
Is the use of "therefor" increasing in any context?
The use of "therefor" remains steady, primarily in legal and formal texts, without significant increase in everyday language.
What is the historical origin of "therefor"?
Both "therefore" and "therefor" have origins in Middle English, reflecting the language's evolution and the differentiation in their usage over time.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
