Therefore vs Thus
As therefore and thus are two words that are often confused when it comes to their usage, we should get to know the difference between therefore and thus if we are to use them appropriately. The reason behind this confusion between therefore and thus is that they are often thought of as words that convey the same meaning. If we take a look at the two words, we can see that both thus and therefore are used as adverbs in the English language. Moreover, the word thus has its origins in the Old English. Though they seem to share the same meaning thus and therefore are used differently in English.
What does Thus mean?
When it comes to the word thus is used in a very formal or literary sense. Observe the sentence given below.
Everything thus ended happily.
In the above given sentence, you can observe how the word thus is used in a very formal sense. The word thus is used in the sense of ‘in this way’ and hence the sentence given above would mean ‘everything in this way ended happily’. It is interesting to note that the word thus is also used in the sense of ‘as indicated’ and sometimes in the sense of ‘accordingly’ as well. Expressions such as ‘thus far’ and ‘thus much’ are also used in different senses.
What does Therefore mean?
While the word thus is used in a very formal sense, the word therefore is used in a formal sense. However, therefore is also used in formal writing as well. Observe the two sentences given below:
He was therefore unable to avoid a quarrel.
Therefore, we should take measures to prevent this environmental pollution.
In the first sentence, the word therefore is used in a formal sense. In the second sentence also you will see that the word therefore is used in a formal sense. The word therefore means ‘for that reason’ and hence the first sentence would mean ‘he was for that reason unable to avoid a quarrel’. It is also used in the sense of ‘accordingly’ and ‘consequently’. Moreover, the word therefore is used only as an adverb and that too independently.
What is the difference between Therefore and Thus?
• One of the main differences between the usages of the words thus and therefore is that the word thus is used in a very formal or literary sense. On the other hand, the word therefore is used in a formal sense.
• The word therefore means ‘for that reason.’ It is also used in the sense of ‘accordingly’ and ‘consequently’.
• The word thus, on the other hand, is used in the sense of ‘in this way.’ Sometimes, the word thus is also used in the sense of ‘as indicated’ and sometimes in the sense of ‘accordingly’ as well.
• As a matter of grammatical fact both the words thus and therefore are used as adverbs in the English language.
• The word therefore is used only as an adverb and that too independently.
The words, thus and therefore, have to be used with precision having understood the difference between their usages and connotations.
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