Hence vs. So That

Attribute	Hence	So That
Meaning	As a result, therefore	In order to, for the purpose of
Usage	Used to indicate a consequence or conclusion	Used to indicate a purpose or reason
Connection	Connects a previous statement to a following one	Connects a goal or intention to an action

Definition

Both "hence" and "so that" are conjunctions that are used to show cause and effect relationships in a sentence. However, they are used in slightly different contexts and have different nuances in meaning.

Usage of Hence

The word "hence" is used to indicate a result or consequence of something that has been mentioned previously. It is often used to show a logical connection between two ideas or events. For example, "She forgot her umbrella, hence she got wet in the rain." In this sentence, "hence" is used to explain why she got wet in the rain.

Usage of So That

On the other hand, "so that" is used to indicate purpose or intention. It is used to show the reason why something is done or to explain the intended outcome of an action. For example, "She brought her umbrella so that she wouldn't get wet in the rain." In this sentence, "so that" is used to explain the purpose of bringing the umbrella.

Formality

Both "hence" and "so that" are considered formal language and are often used in written English rather than in spoken language. However, "so that" is more commonly used in everyday speech compared to "hence," which is more formal and less commonly used in casual conversations.

Placement in a Sentence

"Hence" is usually placed at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma. For example, "Hence, it can be concluded that the project was a success." On the other hand, "so that" is typically placed before the clause it is introducing. For example, "She studied hard so that she could pass the exam."

Clarity and Precision

While both "hence" and "so that" are used to show cause and effect relationships, "so that" is often considered more precise and specific in indicating the purpose or intention behind an action. It leaves less room for ambiguity compared to "hence," which can sometimes be more general in its meaning.

Examples

• She worked hard, hence she was promoted.
• He saved money so that he could buy a new car.
• The team practiced diligently, hence they won the championship.
• She packed an umbrella so that she wouldn't get wet in the rain.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both "hence" and "so that" are useful conjunctions that can be used to show cause and effect relationships in a sentence. While "hence" is more commonly used in formal writing and is often placed at the beginning of a sentence, "so that" is used to indicate purpose or intention and is placed before the clause it is introducing. Both words have their own nuances and can be used effectively to convey different meanings in a sentence.