How to spell therefore
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
therefore
T-H-E-R-E-F-O-R-E
The part to watch: there + fore. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Therefore is two words joined: there + fore. Both parts keep their e at the end.
Therefore is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a smaller word behind it. Each of these words is built from, or related to, a smaller word you may already know. Find the smaller word and most of the spelling follows.
Common mistakes with therefore
- Wrong: therforeRight: therefore
- Wrong: thereforRight: therefore
A way to remember it
Write there, as in "over there", then add fore, as in before.
Therefore in syllables
there · fore
Therefore has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
It was raining and therefore we stayed in.
Therefore on the statutory list
Therefore is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with therefore, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a smaller word behind it
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as therefore.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is therefor a word?
Therefor, with no e, is an old legal word meaning "for that". In everyday writing it is always therefore.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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