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then

A1
UK/ðen/US/ðen/

Universal across all registers (formal, informal, written, spoken).

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Definition

Meaning

At that time; next in time, order, or sequence; in that case; therefore.

Used to indicate a consequence, result, or logical conclusion; used to refer back to a previous point in time or to add information to a statement.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

"Then" functions primarily as an adverb but can also be used as a nominal adjective (e.g., 'the then president'). Its temporal, sequential, and causal/consequential uses are core and very frequent.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or core usage. Minor stylistic preferences may exist in certain fixed phrases.

Connotations

Identical in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally high frequency in both varieties.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
and thenback thenjust thensince thenuntil thenevery now and then
medium
right theneven thenbut thenwell thenonly then
weak
by thenfrom then onthen againthen and there

Grammar

Valency Patterns

S V, then S VIf X, then YFirst X, then YX, and then Y

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

thereforeconsequentlythushence

Neutral

nextafterwardssubsequentlyat that time

Weak

laterfollowing thatin that case

Vocabulary

Antonyms

nowbeforepreviouslyearlier

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “now and then”
  • “then and there”
  • “every now and then”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used in project timelines and logical arguments (e.g., 'If the metrics improve, then we will invest.').

Academic

Common in logical syllogisms and historical sequencing (e.g., 'The catalyst was added, then the mixture heated.').

Everyday

Ubiquitous in narration and planning (e.g., 'We'll have lunch, then go for a walk.').

Technical

Used in instructions and logical flow (e.g., 'Compile the code, then run the executable.').

Examples

By Part of Speech

adverb

British English

  • We lived in Edinburgh back then.
  • Finish your work, and then you can relax.
  • If it's raining, then we'll stay in.

American English

  • We lived in Chicago back then.
  • First preheat the oven, then mix the ingredients.
  • If the data supports it, then we'll proceed.

adjective

British English

  • The then Prime Minister announced the policy.
  • We met in the then thriving industrial town.

American English

  • The then governor vetoed the bill.
  • It was located in the then unincorporated territory.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • I woke up, then I had breakfast.
  • It was cold then.
  • See you then!
B1
  • First, chop the onions, then fry them gently.
  • The company was much smaller back then.
  • If you're tired, then you should rest.
B2
  • The treaty was signed, thus ending the conflict and then paving the way for trade.
  • He was the then head of research, a position he held for a decade.
  • The solution seemed obvious, but then again, I might have overlooked something.
C1
  • Only then, upon reviewing the forensic evidence, did the full picture emerge.
  • The then-prevailing economic orthodoxy has since been thoroughly discredited.
  • His argument proceeds from a flawed premise; his conclusion, then, is invalid.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of TIME: T for Time (at that time), I for If-then (in that case), M for Movement (next in sequence), E for End result (therefore).

Conceptual Metaphor

TIME AS A PATH OR JOURNEY ("We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, then decide."); LOGIC AS A CHAIN ("If A, then B").

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid confusing temporal "then" with "than" (comparative). Russian 'тогда' covers temporal 'then' but not the logical/consequential 'then' (which is 'тогда' or 'значит').
  • Do not overuse "then" as a filler word in narration like Russian 'потом'.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'then' (time/logic) with 'than' (comparison).
  • Using 'then' redundantly in past narratives.
  • Incorrect: 'I am smarter then you.' Correct: 'I am smarter than you.'

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
We need to finalise the budget, submit the proposal to the board.
Multiple Choice

In which sentence is 'then' used to express a logical consequence?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Its three primary uses are: 1) Temporal ('at that time'), 2) Sequential ('next'), and 3) Logical/Consequential ('therefore', 'in that case').

'Then' relates to time, sequence, or consequence. 'Than' is used for comparisons (e.g., 'older than', 'rather than'). They are different words.

Yes, particularly in its logical/consequential sense (e.g., 'Then we have no other option.') or in narration (e.g., 'Then, something unexpected happened.').

It refers to a specific, often distant, period in the past, emphasising the contrast with the present (e.g., 'We didn't have smartphones back then.').

Collections

Part of a collection

Numbers and Time

A1 · 50 words · Numbers, dates, days and expressions of time.

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