therefore English · revision 2801

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1175}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈðeə.fɔː/, US /ˈðer.fɔːr/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|therfore]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) [[af|ang|þǣr|fore]], from [[m|ang|þærfore]],^(Etymonline) from the sources of [[there]] and [[fore]], a collateral Old English and Middle English form of [[for]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) Dutch daarvoor, German dafür and Danish derfor are similar formations.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “For that, by reason of that, on that account”: about 1175 in the OED,^(OED 1989) and Old English in the SOED.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “in consequence of that, as a result or inference from what has been said” is from before 1400.^(OED 1989) Middle English also had a variant thereforn, “for that reason” (mid-13th century).^(Etymonline) Since about 1800 ''therefor'' has tended to be used for “for that, in return for that” and ''therefore'' for “in consequence”;^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) the two are now distinguished in stress, ''therefore'' on the first syllable.^(OED 1989) As a noun, the word ''therefore'' marking a conclusion, it is from 1641.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1175 – by reason of that.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-13th century – thereforn.^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1400 – in consequence; hence.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1641 – noun, a conclusion.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * c. 1800 – distinguished from ''therefor''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # For that reason; as a result; [[consequently]] or [[hence]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[there]]

+ * [[fore]]

+ * [[for]]

+ * [[wherefore]]

+ * [[therefor]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Therefor'', “for that, for it”, as in ''paid therefor'', is a separate legal and formal word.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}