What does thereby mean?
Thereby is an adverb meaning “as a result” or “consequently.” It connects a consequence to a condition, action, or fact stated immediately before it, as in “The revised timetable will reduce delays, thereby improving punctuality.” Its use is especially characteristic of formal, technical, academic, and professional writing, though it is also entirely standard in ordinary conversation. Thereby generally emphasizes the connection between cause and effect without specifying the mechanism by which one produces the other; if that relationship is unclear, an expression such as “which means that” may communicate it more directly. The word can also have the older and less common sense “by that means” or “in that way.” While consequently and therefore are close alternatives, thereby often reads most naturally after a clause describing an action or change, with the consequence expressed in the following clause. Its formal character makes it useful in reports and precise explanations, though unnecessarily formal usage can make ordinary speech sound stiff.
adverbAs a result or consequence of what has just been stated; consequently. In older usage, it can also mean by that means or in that way.
- As a result or consequence of something previously stated.
- By that means or in that way.
"The new process reduces waste and thereby lowers operating costs."
"The new process reduces waste and thereby lowers operating costs."
"By pooling their resources, the agencies thereby avoided duplicating the same work."
Thereby began as a phrase meaning “there; in that place” before evolving into a formal link between cause and consequence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of thereby
Thereby was formed in Middle English from Old English elements meaning “there” and “by,” originally expressing location: “there; in that place.” It later developed the sense “by that means,” and from the early modern period it came to be used for “as a result” or “consequence.” Its development parallels related Old English compounds such as therein and thereof, which likewise combine a demonstrative element referring to a previously mentioned place or subject with a preposition.
How thereby is actually used
Thereby is especially common in formal and technical writing. It presents the second clause as a consequence of the first, although the precise causal connection may need to be understood from context.
Easily confused with thereby
Thereby means as a result or consequence, whereas whereby means by which or through which.