Mastering formal English can be challenging, especially when it involves older or less commonly used words. One such word is therefrom, a term that often appears in legal, academic, or highly formal writing. Although it’s not commonly used in everyday conversation, understanding how to use ‘therefrom’ correctly can enhance your ability to read and write more sophisticated texts. The key lies in recognizing its meaning, structure, and appropriate contexts to ensure clarity and accuracy.
Understanding the Meaning of Therefrom
Therefrom is an adverb that means from that place or from that source. It is a compound word, combining there and from. This structure mirrors other archaic or formal words such as therein (in that), thereof (of that), and thereby (by that).
Typical Usage
It is most often used in formal writing, especially in legal documents, scientific texts, contracts, and philosophical literature. Here’s a basic definition breakdown:
- Therefrom= from that (place, thing, or source)
Examples of Meaning
- The benefits derivedtherefromwere substantial. (The benefits from that were substantial.)
- They reviewed the proposal and all outcomestherefrom. (They reviewed the outcomes that came from that.)
When to Use Therefrom
Knowing when to use therefrom comes down to understanding both the formality of the context and whether a more common alternative could cause confusion or sound too casual. This word is best suited to the following contexts:
1. Legal Writing
Legal documents often prioritize precision and formality. Therefrom is used to avoid ambiguity and maintain tradition in legal phrasing. For instance:
- Any profit obtained from the said property and all rightstherefromshall belong to the grantor.
2. Academic or Technical Writing
In scholarly works, especially in disciplines like philosophy, history, or science, therefrom can serve to convey complex relationships clearly:
- The theory postulates that knowledge arises from experience, and wisdomtherefromcannot be dismissed.
3. Formal Correspondence or Proposals
While less common, you may use therefrom in very formal business communications:
- The committee reviewed the data and the conclusions drawntherefrom.
How to Structure Sentences with Therefrom
Using therefrom correctly involves careful sentence construction. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
Use After a Noun
Therefrom typically follows a noun that it refers back to. This noun is often a place, situation, condition, or source. For example:
- The experiment yielded significant results, and the insightstherefromwere published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Avoid Using in Everyday Speech
It’s best to avoid therefrom in casual conversation. Saying from that or from it sounds more natural in spoken English. For example:
- Too formal (in speech): He received instructions and followed all guidancetherefrom.
- Better (spoken): He received instructions and followed all guidance from them.
Keep Subject Clarity
Because therefrom is a reference word, clarity of its antecedent is critical. Make sure it’s clear what therefrom refers to in the sentence:
- Unclear: The policy was revised. Improvements were madetherefrom. (Improvements from what?)
- Clear: The policy was revised, and improvements resultingtherefromwere implemented immediately.
Common Mistakes When Using Therefrom
Because of its rarity, therefrom can be misused or confused with similar formal terms. Here are mistakes to avoid:
1. Using It Interchangeably with Thereof or Therein
These terms are not the same. Therefrom means from that, while thereof means of that, and therein means in that. Mixing them up can lead to confusion.
- Correct: The income and taxes arisingtherefrommust be declared.
- Incorrect: The income and taxes arisingthereofmust be declared. (Thereof means of that, not from that.)
2. Using in Informal Writing
Unless your writing demands high formality, opt for simpler alternatives. Using therefrom in an informal email or blog post can seem unnatural or overly stiff.
3. Not Ensuring Subject Agreement
Since therefrom refers to a previous noun, make sure your sentence flows logically and grammatically from that noun.
Alternatives to Therefrom
If you’re unsure whether therefrom fits your tone or style, consider replacing it with more common equivalents:
- From that neutral and widely accepted
- As a result useful when discussing outcomes
- Derived from that more specific, especially in academic contexts
Examples with alternatives:
- Original: The nutrients and health benefitstherefromare essential to human development.
- Alternative: The nutrients and health benefitsfrom thatare essential to human development.
Practice Sentences Using Therefrom
To better understand its use, here are a few more sentence examples that demonstrate how therefrom functions within different contexts:
- The law was enacted in 1999, and the regulations developedtherefromhave shaped modern compliance practices.
- They conducted an investigation into the market trends and made key strategic decisionstherefrom.
- The samples were analyzed, and the datatherefromwas used to support the final report.
Mastering Formal Precision
Although therefrom is not part of daily vocabulary for most English speakers, it plays a valuable role in formal, legal, and academic contexts. Knowing how and when to use it allows for more precise and polished communication. By paying attention to its placement, meaning, and tone, you can add clarity and depth to your writing. For anyone looking to elevate their English for formal purposes, practicing words like therefrom provides not just linguistic versatility, but also a deeper appreciation for the richness of the language.