Hence and comma

Question

I am confused with using 'hence' as a coordinating conjunction. I take it 'so' can be used right after a comma. Example: I am lazy, so I don't work. But what about 'hence'? I am lazy, and hence I don't work. Is this how you write it? I mean, must 'and' precede 'hence'? What are the ways in which hence can be used, especially with respect to comma?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

'Hence' is not really a coordinating conjunction; it is a 'conjunct adverb'. That is why you can (and some say should) use 'and' before it: I'm lazy, and hence I don't work.

If you omit 'and', the careful approach is to use a semicolom: I'm lazy; hence, I don't work.

However, 'hence' is well on its way to asyndetic use (that is, its use as a coordinator w/o 'and'), and you will find reputable uses like this: I'm lazy, hence I don't work.

I have never been comfortable with 'so' as a coordinating conjunction, by the way, and I suspect that it is just another conjunct adverb that is much further along the way via asyndeton to the status of respectable coordinating conjunction.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks, MM. Is thence also used in the same way as hence? If what you say about 'so' is true, then must it also be preceded by 'and'? He was lazy and so he never worked. Or something like that.

Mister Micawber · Answer

You didn't understand what I said about 'so'; 'so' is an accepted coordinating conjunction. As for 'thence' (not to mention 'whence')-- offhand, I suspect that it is much more the adverb.

The Random House Dictionary's entry has both bases covered regarding comma use:

2. from that time; thenceforth: 'He fell ill and thence was seldom seen.'

3. from that source: 'Thence came all our troubles.'

4. from that fact or reason; therefore: 'We were young, and thence optimistic.'

Hence and comma

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