“Thereby” and “Therefore” are adverbs that are often used to connect ideas and show relationships between them in a sentence. While they are similar in meaning, there are some differences in their usage.
Difference between Thereby and Therefore
Meaning of Thereby
Thereby refers to “by that means” or “As a result of that”. Thereby is mostly used as an important result of the consequences of the events mentioned.
Usage of Thereby
- “Thereby” is used to show the method or cause of something happening
- “Thereby” is used to indicate that one event or action is a direct result of another event or action. It is often used to explain how something was accomplished or achieved.
Examples of Thereby
- She lost her job, thereby losing her income.
- He studied hard, thereby passing the exam.
- The company invested in new technology, thereby improving efficiency.
- She solved the problem, thereby earning the respect of her colleagues.
- The team scored a goal, thereby taking the lead.
- The storm damaged the roof, thereby causing a leak.
Meaning of Therefore
The word “therefore” is used to draw a conclusion from what has been previously stated or inferred, and can also indicate that the speaker or writer is presenting a logical argument or sequence of ideas. “Therefore” is a transitional word that can be used to link sentences, paragraphs, or entire sections of a written work or speech.
Usage of Therefore
“Therefore” is used to indicate a logical conclusion based on a given situation or premise. It is often used to summarize an argument or draw a conclusion or used to show a cause-and-effect relationship between ideas, facts, or events.
Examples of Therefore
- It’s raining, therefore we should bring umbrellas.
- He missed the deadline, therefore he won’t get paid.
- She’s an expert in the field, therefore we should listen to her advice.
- The project is behind schedule, therefore we need to work overtime.
- The traffic is heavy, therefore we should take a different route.
Differences between Thereby and Therefore
| “Thereby” | “Therefore” | |
| Definition | By means of that, as a result of that | “Therefore” is used to draw a conclusion from what has been previously stated or inferred |
| Usage | Shows the method or cause of something happening or the means by which something is achieved | Shows a logical consequence or conclusion of something that has been previously mentioned |
| Position in a sentence | Usually appears after the action or cause | Usually appears after the reason or cause |
| Emphasis | Focuses on the cause or method | Focuses on the conclusion or result |
| Tone | Can indicate a causal or explanatory relationship | Can indicate a logical or consequential relationship |
| Frequency of use | Less common in everyday writing and speech | More commonly used in everyday writing and speech |
| Function within a sentence | Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship between two actions or events | Indicates a conclusion drawn from an argument or set of facts |
Conclusion
Both Thereby and Therefore are transition words, the key difference is that thereby is used as “by that means”, whereas therefore is used as “for that reason”.