thereby

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparableformal

   As a result of the action just mentioned; by doing that.

   Grammar: Usually comes before an -ing verb: reducing waste, thereby saving money.

   Patterns

   • thereby + -ing

   The company cut its energy use, thereby lowering its costs.

   He signed the form, thereby agreeing to the terms.

   She trained every morning, thereby improving her stamina.

2. 2adverbnot comparableformallegal

   In connection with that; because of that matter.

   Grammar: A rare, legal-style use: the risks thereby involved.

   Patterns

   • thereby + past participle

   The risks thereby created must be reported.

   The rights thereby granted cannot be sold.

Common combinations

thereby avoiding

They left early, thereby avoiding the traffic.

thereby ensuring

He backed up the files, thereby ensuring nothing was lost.

thereby saving

They shared a car, thereby saving fuel.

thereby creating

The merger joined the firms, thereby creating the largest retailer in the region.

and thereby

He lowered prices and thereby attracted more customers.

Synonyms and how they differ

hence

Hence points forward to a consequence and is often used with nouns, while thereby links an action to its direct result.

thus

Thus is slightly more general and can mean 'in this way' or 'so', whereas thereby stresses means or result.

consequently

Consequently introduces a separate result, usually at the start of a clause, but thereby attaches the result to the action.

as a result

As a result is plain and neutral, with no formal flavor.

Word family

there adverb

in or at that place

therefore adverb

for that reason

thereafter adverb

after that time

therein adverb

in that place or matter

Commonly confused: thereby or therefore?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “thereby”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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