Cool MateAccordingly vs Hence
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accordingly
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1adverb
Hence
FormalTop 3,000 (common)B2adverb
Most formal: HenceMost common: Hence
| Accordingly | Hence | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkɔːdɪŋli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɔːrdɪŋli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/hens/"]/🇺🇸 /["/hens/"]/ |
| Meaning | In a way that is suitable or appropriate based on something else. | for that reason |
| Example | We have to discover his plans and act accordingly. | We suspect they are trying to hide something, hence the need for an independent inquiry. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | act accordingly, respond accordingly, adjust accordingly, plan accordingly, behave accordingly | hence the need, henceforth, hence it follows |
| Antonyms | inappropriately, improperly, unsuitably, contrarily | therefore, thus |
| Common mistakes | Using 'accordingly' in informal situations where simpler words would be better., Confusing 'accordingly' with 'according to', which has a different meaning., Omitting the necessary context before using 'accordingly'. | Using 'hence' incorrectly as a standalone sentence., Confusing 'hence' with 'therefore' when they have slightly different usages., Forgetting to use a comma before 'hence' when it starts a new clause. |
| Usage notes | Use 'accordingly' to show a result based on a previous statement. It's often found in written English and formal contexts but can also be used in speech. | Used in writing or formal speech to explain outcomes or reasons. It may feel too formal in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Accordingly vs Hence
What's the difference between Accordingly and Hence?
Accordingly: In a way that is suitable or appropriate based on something else. Hence: for that reason
Which is more formal: Accordingly and Hence?
Hence is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Accordingly and Hence?
Hence is the most common in everyday English.
Are Accordingly and Hence the same CEFR level?
Accordingly: C1, Hence: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Accordingly and Hence interchangeably?
Not always. Accordingly and Hence are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.