Hence, thence, and whence are formal, largely literary adverbs that already mean from here, from there, and from where, so the redundant from should be avoided before them, as in three months hence, the treaty will be formally reviewed, and hence most often simply means therefore.
Grammar Rule
Hence/thence/whence already mean from here/there/where — avoid the redundant from before them in careful formal usage.
Hence, Thence, Whence: Rules and Examples
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| hence | therefore / from now | The evidence was inconclusive; hence, the case was dismissed. Three months hence, the treaty will be formally reviewed. |
| thence | from that place | They travelled to the capital, and thence continued northward by train. |
| whence | from which place/where | He returned to the village whence he had come twenty years earlier. |
Remember: hence/thence/whence already mean from here/there/where — avoid the redundant from before them in careful formal usage; hence most often means therefore.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using hence, thence, and whence correctly. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
C1-59 "Hence", "Thence", "Whence"
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does hence mean?
Therefore, or from now, as in three months hence, the treaty will be formally reviewed.
What does thence mean?
From that place, as in they travelled to the capital, and thence continued northward by train.
What does whence mean?
From which place or from where, as in he returned to the village whence he had come twenty years earlier.
Should from be added before hence, thence, or whence?
No, that is redundant in careful formal usage since the meaning of from is already built in.