Basic Details
Word: Hence
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: For this reason; therefore. In formal writing it can also mean 'from now', as in 'two weeks hence'.
Synonyms: therefore, so, thus
How to Spell Hence
Syllables: hence
Tricky part: The ending sound 's' is spelt ce, not se. Hense is the usual mistake.
Watch out for: hense, hennce
Memory tip: Hence, since and once all end in ce. Learn the three together as a group: since, once, hence.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The bridge is old and weak; hence heavy lorries are not allowed on it.
Example 2: Results will be declared a month hence, on the first of June.
Example 3: He forgot his ID card and hence could not enter the exam hall.
Fun Fact
Hence has two old partners, whence (from where) and thence (from there); hence itself first meant 'from here'.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word hence as used in the sentence:
The roads were flooded after the cloudburst; hence the district closed all schools on Monday.
a) therefore
b) meanwhile
c) although
d) however
Show answer
a) therefore. Hence links a cause to its result, which is the job of therefore.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. absence 2. silence 3. patience 4. hense
a) for this reason; therefore
b) the ability to wait calmly
c) the state of being away
d) complete quiet
Show answer
a) for this reason; therefore. Hense uses se, but hence ends in ce like the other three words.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
The match was washed out by rain, and nehce the final will now be played next Saturday.
a) pence
b) fence
c) whence
d) hence
Show answer
d) hence. With no w in the jumble, whence is out, and the h rules out fence and pence.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. 'The exam is three days hence' means the exam is ____.
a) three days ago
b) three days from now
c) every three days
d) for three days
Show answer
b) three days from now
2. An old poet writes 'Go hence!' He is telling someone to ____.
a) go away from here
b) go to sleep now
c) come here quickly
d) stay where you are
Show answer
a) go away from here
