Hence Definition – Meaning And Usage In A Sentence

Perfecting your knowledge of English vocabulary is achievable if you put in time and effort. However, it is not automatic, and you must be patient throughout the process because there is a lot to learn; you have to learn as many new words as possible. Use this opportunity to learn about the hence definition, meaning, and application.

Hence simply means “that is the reason or explanation for something.” Replace the word “therefore” or “as a result” with “hence” in your speech or writing. Also, use the word when you want to indicate that the statement you are about to make is a consequence of what you have just said.

If this is the first time you encounter the word “hence,” you are likely to have many questions about it. This article will explore this word more and discuss its meaning, sentence use, history, and much more. That will help you have a concrete understanding of “hence,” making it easier to express yourself in writing and speech.

What is the Definition of Hence?

Among the most known meanings of “hence” is “subsequently or happening at a time after the time references.” That tells you that the word fits in a situation that means “later on, next, or afterward.”

Interestingly, this is one of the few words in English with numerous nuances of meaning. Other close meanings based on context include, “for this reason, from this source, from this place, from that time, from now.” How you use the word to mean either definition depends on your context and the message you want to convey.

Here is a list of examples:

• The path is muddy; hence it is not safe for hiking.
• The bride-to-be was unhappy with her wedding dress; hence the tailor had to make a replacement.
• The weather was fair this year; hence the crops are thriving in the field.

What is the Meaning of Hence?

Hence: the word is also a euphemism to mean “pass away.” Still, in this context, the word also refers to “leaving your loved ones.” You can replace “depart or begone” with “hence” in your sentences.

However, note that using “hence” when talking about someone “dearly departed” is old-fashioned. It was a polite way of talking about someone who had died some centuries ago. Though this meaning is not completely obsolete, not many people know about it. You have probably known about this meaning today. Using this definition of “hence” will confuse most of your audience.

Here is a list of examples:

• Five family members suffered from Coronavirus, which took both parents hence.
• All his cattle were ill, and they departed hence.
• Though his brother tried to fight for his life after the accident, he went away hence.

What Part of Speech is Hence?

The word “hence” is a conjunctive adverb. Adverbs are words that modify a verb action word. The purpose of adverbs is to explain to the audience how an action gets performed. But conjunctive adverbs do more than that; they combine two or more sentences.

Understanding the part of a speech of the new word is important because it has an essential role in forming sentences. In addition, knowing the part of speech will give you a clear perception of how to use the word in your sentence.

Is There Any Word Phrase for Hence?

You must have read the phrase “from hence.” It’s one of the few phrases with the word hence. Word phrases are small groups of words that stand together as a conceptual unit. These words typically form components of a clause. “From hence” means “on that account, therefore, thus.” Replace the word “consequently” with “from hence.”

Synonyms of Hence

Synonyms are words that have the same or near meaning to the words that you are learning. Take a look at words that have a close meaning with “hence.”

• Thus
• Therefore
• Ergo
• Then
• As a deduction
• Afterward
• Onwards
• After this
• As of now
• Ultimately
• Eventually
• Afar
• Back
• Aside
• Elsewhere

Antonyms of Hence

How many antonyms of the word hence do you know? Antonyms are words that have the opposite meaning to another. Read through this list of the most common antonyms of hence.

• Still
• However
• Otherwise
• Notwithstanding
• Yet
• Anyhow
• Despite
• Although
• While
• But
• When
• Granted
• Previously
• Before
• Once

Rhymes of Hence

Do you know that some English words have similar sounds? Such words are “rhyming words.” The sound similarity is either throughout the word or in the last part. Rhyming words are mainly used by poets, authors, and musicians in their writing to help create a rhythm to depict feelings, emotions, and meanings.

Here are words that rhyme with hence.

• Fence
• Sense
• Dense
• Expense
• Defense
• Offence
• Pence
• Manse
• Sequence
• Consequences
• Nonsense
• Absence
• Innocence
• Tense
• Incense

How to Use Hence in a Sentence

The word “hence” is versatile, and you can use it in various ways in your sentences. For example, it can mean “from this place, from this time, in the future, as a result, therefore, or even pass away.” So before using this word, ensure that you fully understand what it means and that it fits your context.

This is a word that has different meanings, and some of them are not related in any way. So, if you are not clear when using “hence” you are likely to confuse your audience. Besides, this is a more formal word than informal; use the word less if you are not in formal settings.

Comparing Hence with Other Words

Have you been confusing the word hence with, therefore, so, and thus? While there is some closeness in the meaning of these words, they are not always used interchangeably. Let’s learn more below.

• Hence vs. therefore: You can use hence and therefore interchangeably but up to a certain extent. That’s why the two words do not always work as synonyms. Hence means, on the other hand, or for that, while therefore means because of this or that.
• Hence vs. so: Hence means from this place or away while so means so that. Though they can be synonyms, note that hence is more formal than so.
• Hence vs. thus: Though it is common to see the words hence and thus used interchangeably, they are only close synonyms. However, grammar rules indicate that you should not always use them as synonyms. Hence applies when talking about the future and thus denotes the past or when concluding things.

How to Punctuate Hence

Before using “hence” in your sentence, learn the best way you can punctuate the word. There is a standard rule for using a comma with “hence”; you should put a comma before the word. If hence immediately follows a semicolon, it should have a comma right after it. If you are using the word at the beginning of a sentence, it should have a comma following it. But note that there are also sentences that do not require the use of commas anywhere before “hence.”

10 Examples of Hence in a Sentence

Are you still not sure how to use hence in your sentences? Here is a list of sentences with this word to help you create your sentences.

1. Hence, there are no reasons to incorporate other producers.
2. Grace once had an awful experience with Mexican cuisine, hence our preference for Chinese dishes.
3. My mother missed the train this morning; hence, she had to take a taxi.
4. Hence, Marvin took photos of the incident even though the police had forbidden him.
5. Our manager will retire at the end of the month hence everyone in my team is working hard to fill the position.
6. Patience’s shoes are made of genuine leather; hence it costs two times her salary.
7. He worked in a fast-food restaurant; hence, his nickname is Mr. Fries.
8. Wallace, the gym instructor, was sick today; hence we have to leave the gym early.
9. Krystal got a new bike yesterday, hence the excitement.
10. Hence, my cousin considered sharing the blame.

How Do You Spell Hence?

The proper spelling of “hence” is “H.E.N.C.E.”

A common mistake people make when pronouncing this word is to put the letter “s” instead of “c.” Be careful not to make this mistake.

How Do You Pronounce Hence?

The proper way to pronounce the word “hence” is “hens.”

How Many Syllables Are in Hence?

The word “hence” has one syllable: “hence.”

History & Etymology of Hence

The word “hence” is from Old Germany’s “hinnan and “hinnen.” As the German word evolved, so did the word, and it changed to “hinan.” The word was then used in Old English as “heonan” which meant “away.” “Heonan” later changed to “here” and also gave birth to the word “hence.”

When Was Hence First Used?

The first use of the term was in the 13th century; the first meaning of this word dates back to this time.

Conclusion

Hence can be a complicated word, making it difficult for people to get it right the first time they come across it. There are several things that the word could mean, and due to its archaic nature, there is also a lot of confusion surrounding it. So, ensure you are confident of the meaning and context if you plan to use the term in your sentences. Take time to practice the word so you do not make a mistake that could cause confusion, misunderstanding, or embarrassment.