What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hence
Example
She forgot her keys at home, hence she couldn't open the door. [hence: adverb]
Example
The weather is bad, hence we have to cancel the picnic. [hence: conjunction]
thus
Example
He didn't study for the exam, thus he failed. [thus: adverb]
Example
The company invested in new technology, thus increasing productivity. [thus: conjunction]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thus is more commonly used than hence in everyday language. Thus is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hence is less common and typically used in formal writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hence and thus?
Hence is considered more formal than thus. While thus can be used in both formal and informal contexts, hence is typically reserved for more formal writing or speech.
