Cool MateAccordingly vs Consequently vs Hence vs Thereby
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accordingly
Consequently
Hence
Thereby
| Accordingly | Consequently | Hence | Thereby | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkɔːdɪŋli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɔːrdɪŋli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒnsɪkwəntli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːnsɪkwentli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/hens/"]/🇺🇸 /["/hens/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌðeəˈbaɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌðerˈbaɪ/"]/ |
| Meaning | In a way that is suitable or appropriate based on something else. | As a result or effect of something. | for that reason | in that way; as a result |
| Example | We have to discover his plans and act accordingly. | This poses a threat to agriculture and the food chain, and consequently to human health. | We suspect they are trying to hide something, hence the need for an independent inquiry. | Regular exercise strengthens the heart, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Formal | Formal |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | act accordingly, respond accordingly, adjust accordingly, plan accordingly, behave accordingly | consequently, the outcome, consequently, we decided, used consequently in a sentence, consequently, it appears, the plan failed; consequently | hence the need, henceforth, hence it follows | thereby improving, thereby increasing, thereby allowing |
| Antonyms | inappropriately, improperly, unsuitably, contrarily | inconsequently, independently, unrelatedly | therefore, thus | indirectly, without effect, in no way |
| 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 'consequently' in informal spoken English too often., Confusing 'consequently' with 'consequent' — the former is an adverb, the latter is an adjective., Placing 'consequently' at the beginning of a sentence without a clear prior context. | 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. | Using 'thereby' in informal speech when it's not appropriate., Confusing 'thereby' with 'therefor', which has a different meaning., Neglecting to pair 'thereby' with a gerund. |
| 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. | Use 'consequently' to show a direct result of something previously mentioned. It's suitable for writing and formal speech, but less common in everyday conversations. | Used in writing or formal speech to explain outcomes or reasons. It may feel too formal in casual conversations. | Use 'thereby' in formal writing to indicate the result of an action. It's less common in everyday conversation and may sound overly formal. |
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Frequently asked questions: Accordingly vs Consequently vs Hence vs Thereby
What's the difference between Accordingly, Consequently, Hence, and Thereby?
Accordingly: In a way that is suitable or appropriate based on something else. Consequently: As a result or effect of something. Hence: for that reason Thereby: in that way; as a result
Are Accordingly, Consequently, Hence, and Thereby the same CEFR level?
Accordingly: C1, Consequently: B2, Hence: B2, Thereby: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Accordingly, Consequently, Hence, and Thereby?
Accordingly: adverb, Consequently: adverb, Hence: adverb, Thereby: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Accordingly: We have to discover his plans and act accordingly. Consequently: This poses a threat to agriculture and the food chain, and consequently to human health. Hence: We suspect they are trying to hide something, hence the need for an independent inquiry. Thereby: Regular exercise strengthens the heart, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack.
Can I use Accordingly, Consequently, Hence, and Thereby interchangeably?
Not always. Accordingly, Consequently, Hence, and Thereby 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.