Meaning & use
henceforth
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Meaning
adverb
From this time on; starting now and continuing into the future.
Grammar: Typically placed at the beginning or end of a clause; often used in official or legal contexts.
Patterns
- henceforth, ...
- from henceforth
- be known henceforth as
Henceforth, all employees must wear identification badges.
The rule will apply henceforth to all new members.
He was henceforth known as the team leader.
Common combinations
- henceforth known as
- The building will be henceforth known as the Harrison Center.
- from henceforth
- From henceforth, no one may enter without permission.
- henceforth and forever
- The agreement shall stand henceforth and forever.
Synonyms and how they differ
- from now on
- From now on is the everyday equivalent; henceforth is more formal and typical of written rules or legal texts.
- hereafter
- Hereafter is very similar but can also mean 'in the afterlife' or 'in the rest of this document'; henceforth refers only to time from now on.
Opposites
Word family
- hence adverb
- For this reason; from this fact.
- thenceforth adverb
- From that time on (more literary).
Commonly confused: henceforth or hitherto?
henceforth vs hitherto
Hitherto means 'until now', referring to the past up to the present; henceforth means 'from now on', looking to the future.
Practice
Which sentence uses henceforth correctly?
Choose one answer.
Henceforth means 'from this time on', so it fits with a future arrangement. It cannot refer to a completed past action (as in 'has henceforth finished') or a past time like 'last summer'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “henceforth”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.