therefore
adv. sent.adv. for that reason. You use this word to show that the second part of a sentence happens because of the first part.
adv. for that reason or because of that; consequently. Used to introduce a logical conclusion or a result of the preceding statement.
The shop was closed; therefore, I went home.
The research team lacked sufficient funding and therefore decided to cancel the final stage of the experiment.
The witness was unable to provide a consistent timeline of events; therefore, the prosecution struggled to establish a clear motive during the trial.
From Middle English therfore, therfor, tharfore, thorfore; synchronically a univerbation of there (pronominal adverb) + for, literally “for that (reason)”. The spelling has been changed due to a reanalysis as there + fore (literally “forward from that; thence”). See also therefor, ultimately the same formation. Compare Saterland Frisian deerfoar, Dutch daarvoor, German dafür, Danish and Norwegian derfor, Swedish därför.
Typically functions as a conjunctive adverb. In formal writing, it is often preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma when connecting two independent clauses.
The weather was bad therefore we stayed home.The weather was bad; therefore, we stayed home.Therefore is not a coordinating conjunction like 'and' or 'so'; it requires a semicolon or a new sentence to avoid a comma splice.