Therefor - therefore - Revision history

PeterWilson at 11:29, 9 June 2015

2015-06-09T11:29:46Z

PeterWilson at 16:09, 19 November 2010

2010-11-19T16:09:39Z

JoachimNoreiko at 16:12, 2 August 2007

2007-08-02T16:12:18Z

JoachimNoreiko at 16:12, 2 August 2007

2007-08-02T16:12:02Z

GrahamClarkson at 15:54, 6 February 2007

2007-02-06T15:54:31Z

New page

In current English, the two spellings '''therefor''' and '''therefore''' are distinguished. (They used to be interchangeable.)

*'''Therefor''' is old-fashioned, and not much used â€“ except by lawyers. It means â€˜for thatâ€™, in many senses of â€˜forâ€™. People used to name a purpose, and then raise taxes therefor (i.e. for that purpose); they could buy something and then pay therefor.

*'''Therefore''' is the usual spelling. It has a slightly tighter meaning, derived from '''therefor''': it means for that reason.

For one problem, see [[Words at the beginnings of sentences]]
[[Category:Academic English]] [[Category:Usage]] [[Category:Grammar]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 In current English, the two spellings '''therefor''' and '''therefore''' are distinguished.  (They used to be interchangeable.)
-*'''Therefor''' is old-fashioned, and not much used â€“ except by lawyers.  It means â€˜for thatâ€™, in many senses of â€˜forâ€™.  "People used to name a purpose, and then raise taxes therefor" (i.e. for that purpose); "they could buy something and then pay therefor" (~ for it).
+*'''Therefor''' is old-fashioned, and not much used - except by lawyers.  It means 'for that', in many senses of 'for'.  "Kings used to name a purpose, and then raise taxes therefor" (i.e. for that purpose); "they could buy something and then pay therefor" (~ for it).
 *'''Therefore''' is the usual spelling.  It has a slightly tighter meaning, derived from 'therefor': it means 'for that reason'.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 In current English, the two spellings '''therefor''' and '''therefore''' are distinguished.  (They used to be interchangeable.)
-*'''Therefor''' is old-fashioned, and not much used â€“ except by lawyers.  It means â€˜for thatâ€™, in many senses of â€˜forâ€™.  People used to name a purpose, and then raise taxes therefor (i.e. for that purpose); they could buy something and then pay therefor.
+*'''Therefor''' is old-fashioned, and not much used â€“ except by lawyers.  It means â€˜for thatâ€™, in many senses of â€˜forâ€™.  "People used to name a purpose, and then raise taxes therefor" (i.e. for that purpose); "they could buy something and then pay therefor" (~ for it).
-*'''Therefore''' is the usual spelling.  It has a slightly tighter meaning, derived from '''therefor''': it means for that reason.
+*'''Therefore''' is the usual spelling.  It has a slightly tighter meaning, derived from 'therefor': it means 'for that reason'.
-'''Therefore''' is a [[sentence adverb]], and should not be used after a comma (because it isn't a [[conjunction]]).
+ '''Therefore''' is a [[sentence adverb]], and should not be used after a comma (because it isn't a [[conjunction]]).
 [[Category:Academic English]] [[Category:Usage]] [[Category:Grammar]]

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 *'''Therefore''' is the usual spelling.  It has a slightly tighter meaning, derived from '''therefor''': it means for that reason.
-'''Therefore''' is a [[sentence adverb]], and should not be used after a comma (because it isn't a [[conjunction]].
+'''Therefore''' is a [[sentence adverb]], and should not be used after a comma (because it isn't a [[conjunction]]).
 [[Category:Academic English]] [[Category:Usage]] [[Category:Grammar]]