then
then — adverb
1. referring to a particular moment — whether earlier or later — that has already b
referring to a particular moment — whether earlier or later — that has already been mentioned or is already understood by the listener
The house was much smaller back then; they had only two rooms.
temporal anchor 'back then'
I will call you on Monday morning and explain everything then.
future reference with 'then'
Camille was still a student then and had very little money.
The park was full of cherry blossoms then, so we took many photos.
By the year 2010, the town was already growing fast; life was very different then.
- at that time
more formal; interchangeable in most temporal contexts
- back then
informal, emphatic reference to a past period
- at the time
refers to the same period as a known event
- now
the present moment, as opposed to a past or future time
用法筆記
Often paired with 'back' (back then) for past emphasis, or 'by' (by then) for a deadline in the future. 'At that time' is a more formal alternative.
常見錯誤
2. immediately after something else has happened or after doing something, showing
immediately after something else has happened or after doing something, showing the next step or event in a series
First peel the potatoes, then boil them for twenty minutes.
pattern: First [A], then [B]
Romi got off the bus and then walked straight to the library.
We went to the museum first and then had lunch at a Thai restaurant nearby.
Add the eggs one at a time, then stir the mixture until it is smooth.
Esteban will give a short talk, and then the audience can ask questions.
- afterwards
slightly more formal; focuses on the time after an event
- next
emphasises position in a sequence; often used with 'first', 'next', 'finally'
- subsequently
very formal, mostly written
用法筆記
Commonly paired with 'first' in the pattern 'First A, then B'. Can be used with commas (then, ...) or without, though the comma is more typical in written English when 'then' begins a new clause.
常見錯誤
3. used to add another item, fact, or question to what has already been mentioned
used to add another item, fact, or question to what has already been mentioned
The flat is bright and spacious, and then it has a lovely balcony too.
pattern: [statement], and then [additional item]
We need rice and vegetables, and then the drinks for the party too.
Minh speaks English and French fluently, and then a little Korean as well.
The hotel has a pool and a gym, and then a garden at the back.
- also
more common and direct; 'then' adds a slight sense of 'and on top of that'
- besides
introduces an additional point, sometimes as an afterthought
- furthermore
formal register, mostly written
用法筆記
Often follows 'and' ('and then') when adding to a list in spoken English. More formal alternatives include 'moreover', 'furthermore', and 'in addition'.
4. used to show what result, conclusion, or necessary action follows from something
used to show what result, conclusion, or necessary action follows from something that has just been stated or agreed upon
If the rain does not stop by noon, then we will cancel the picnic.
conditional pattern: If [condition], then [result]
You hate the street noise, so why not move somewhere quieter then?
Amani finished all her work — then she can take the afternoon off.
So you think the new bus route is faster? Then let us try it tomorrow.
If nobody has any objections, then I will sign the agreement right now.
- so
more direct causal link; used more in everyday speech
- therefore
formal register, mostly in writing or formal speech
- in that case
stronger emphasis on the conditional; spoken, polite
文法句型
if...then...
用法筆記
In conditional sentences, 'then' is often optional ('If it rains, [then] we stay home'). It is more common in conversation than in formal writing. Distinguished from 'so' and 'therefore' — 'then' focuses on the logical next step rather than causation, and is used more in suggestions and conclusions than in strict cause-effect reasoning.
常見錯誤
then — noun
1. a particular moment in the past or future that has already been referred to, usu
a particular moment in the past or future that has already been referred to, usually used after a preposition such as 'by', 'before', 'since', 'until', or 'from'
Tamar promised to send the report by Friday, but nothing had arrived by then.
pattern: 'by then' for a deadline
I moved to Taipei in 2015 and have lived there ever since then.
The shop closes at six, so we need to get there before then.
Constanza started her new job in March and has been very happy from then on.
The library is closed for repairs until then, so borrow what you need now.
- that time
used when 'then' alone would be ungrammatical, especially as a subject
- that moment
more specific; implies a particular instant
文法句型
by then
before then
since then
until then
from then on
用法筆記
The noun 'then' almost always follows a preposition. It cannot be used alone as a subject or object ('*Then was a good time' is ungrammatical). The most common fixed phrases are 'by then', 'since then', 'before then', 'until then', and 'from then on'.
常見錯誤
then — adjective
1. used before a noun to describe what role or situation someone or something had a
used before a noun to describe what role or situation someone or something had at an earlier time that has already been mentioned
The then principal of the school retired after thirty years of service.
pattern: 'the then + [role noun]'
The then manager of the factory had no idea the building was unsafe.
Her then husband was a well-known architect in Barcelona.
The then president of the university gave a farewell speech at the ceremony.
The then government faced strong criticism for its decision.
- at that time
adverbial phrase; cannot replace 'then' before a noun ('the at-that-time manager' is ungrammatical)
- former
implies the person no longer holds the position, while 'then' simply anchors to a past reference point
文法句型
the then + noun
用法筆記
This sense is mostly used in journalism and formal writing. It only appears before a noun (attributive position) and cannot be used predicatively ('*the manager was then' is incorrect). The noun that follows is usually a role, title, or state (manager, president, husband, government).