then

then — adverb

1. referring to a particular moment — whether earlier or later — that has already b

1.adverbA1
Definition

referring to a particular moment — whether earlier or later — that has already been mentioned or is already understood by the listener

Example

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'

Common collocations
  • back then
  • by then
  • even then
  • just then
  • since then
  • until then
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms
  • now

    the present moment, as opposed to a past or future time

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

I saw him then at the age of ten.
I saw him back then when I was ten.
'Back then' is needed for a clear past-time anchor when the context is not immediate.

2. immediately after something else has happened or after doing something, showing

2.adverbA2
Definition

immediately after something else has happened or after doing something, showing the next step or event in a series

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • first...then...
  • and then
Synonyms
  • 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

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

I went to the shop then I came home.
I went to the shop, and then I came home.
When joining two independent clauses, add 'and' or use a semicolon to avoid a run-on sentence.

3. used to add another item, fact, or question to what has already been mentioned

3.adverbB1
Definition

used to add another item, fact, or question to what has already been mentioned

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • and then
  • and then there is
Synonyms
  • 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

Usage Note

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

4.adverbA2
Definition

used to show what result, conclusion, or necessary action follows from something that has just been stated or agreed upon

Example

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?

Common collocations
  • if...then...
  • then let's
  • so...then
Synonyms
  • 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

Grammar Patterns

if...then...

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

He didn't study, then he failed.
He didn't study, so he failed.' or 'He didn't study; then he failed.
'So' expresses cause and effect; 'then' suggests sequence, which can be confusing when causation is intended.
Idioms

…and then some

idiom

Used to say that there is even more than what has been mentioned.

Mia has visited ten countries in Europe, and then some.

The new library has fiction, non-fiction, and then some.

but then | then again | but then again

idiom

Used to add a new thought that may be different from what was just said.

The movie was boring, but then again, I fell asleep early.

Sara might come to the party; then again, she might not.

(every) now and then/again

idiom

Sometimes, but not often or regularly.

Liam visits his grandmother every now and then.

Now and again, I enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

now then

idiom

Used to get someone's attention or to express mild disapproval.

Now then, what are you two doing in here?

Now then, let's not argue about this.

then — noun

then — adjective

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Then', 'at that time', 'back then', and 'at the time' all refer to a known moment in the past or future, but they differ in register, scope, and emphasis. 'Then' is the most neutral and versatile — it works in both speech and writing, and covers past and future. 'Back then' is informal and strongly signals a contrast with the present; it always refers to a past period, not a single moment or the future. 'At that time' is more formal than 'then' and is preferred in academic or written contexts. 'At the time' is similar to 'at that time' but is more often used when the speaker is describing a situation that later changed. For example: 'Then we had no idea what was coming' (neutral). 'Back then, people paid in cash' (informal, period contrast). 'At that time, the law had not been passed yet' (formal, precise). 'At the time, I thought he was joking' (personal, retrospective).

then ↗at that timeback thenat the time

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • then and there
  • there and then
  • now and then
  • then again

Prepositions

  • by then
  • since then
  • until then
  • before then
  • from then on

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Then' comes from Old English 'þanne' and 'þonne', which meant 'at that time'. These words trace back to the Proto-Germanic root '*þana-', a demonstrative stem related to the word 'that'. The logical or consequential sense — 'in that case' or 'therefore' — developed early on, appearing in Old English texts alongside the temporal meaning. The adjective use (e.g., 'the then president') emerged in the 16th century, originally as a shortening of 'then being'.