“Hence” and “thus” are both adverbs that can be used as conjunctions to show cause or result, but they have subtle differences in meaning, tone, and usage in formal writing.

1. Meaning:

– Hence: It refers to a point in time or a place. It is used to indicate a continuation from a point in the past or an inference as a result of something.

– Thus: It is used to indicate a conclusion or a logical result. It often suggests a more direct connection between the premise and the conclusion.

2. Tone:

– Hence: It tends to have a more formal and slightly antiquated tone compared to “thus.”

– Thus: It is often perceived as more straightforward and suitable for modern formal writing.

3. Usage:

– Hence: It is commonly used to show a logical connection between two ideas or to introduce a consequence. For example, “The weather was terrible; hence, the event was canceled.”

– Thus: It is often used to indicate a conclusion that follows logically from the preceding argument or evidence. For example, “The data supports the hypothesis; thus, we can conclude that the theory is valid.”

4. Appropriateness:

– Hence: It is typically used when discussing causality or consequences. It is suitable for explaining a sequence of events or reasons.

– Thus: It is more appropriate when presenting a logical conclusion