thens
thens — adjective
- thenspositive
- thensercomparative
- thensestsuperlative
1. describes a person who held a particular position, or a situation that existed,
describes a person who held a particular position, or a situation that existed, at a specific time in the past.
The then president, Jimmy Carter, signed the agreement in 1978.
then + noun for past roles
The then manager of the factory, Mr. Chen, announced the closure on Friday.
The then owners of the house had lived there for forty years.
Under the then rules, women were not allowed to vote.
- current
refers to the present holder or situation
文法句型
then + noun
用法筆記
Always placed directly before the noun it modifies. Common in formal writing, historical descriptions, and journalism. Do not confuse with the adverb 'then' (at that time).
常見錯誤
thens — adverb
1. at a particular moment in the past; used to refer to a time that has already bee
at a particular moment in the past; used to refer to a time that has already been mentioned.
I was still living in Taiwan then, so I did not hear the news.
Life was much harder back then. People had no electricity or running water.
collocation: back then
Rania was only a student then, and she had very little money.
By then, the restaurant had already closed for the night.
The hospital was built in 2010. The town was much smaller then.
- at that time
more formal and explicit; used in writing
- back then
more informal; often refers to a distant past period
- now
refers to the present moment
用法筆記
Typically refers back to a time already mentioned in the conversation or text. Cannot stand alone without prior context establishing the time reference.
常見錯誤
2. soon after a previous event in time; used to connect events that happen one afte
soon after a previous event in time; used to connect events that happen one after another.
Finish your homework first, then you can play video games.
first ... then ... sequence
The rain stopped, and then the sun came out from behind the clouds.
Minh waited for the kettle to boil, then poured the hot water into a cup.
Greta opened the box carefully and then lifted out a small wooden bird.
- before
indicates earlier time
文法句型
then + clause
first ... then ...
用法筆記
Often used with 'first' in the pattern 'first ..., then ...' to show the order of events. Can also follow 'and' at the start of a new clause.
常見錯誤
3. used to indicate the next item in a fixed sequence, such as steps in a procedure
used to indicate the next item in a fixed sequence, such as steps in a procedure or items on an ordered list.
First, add the eggs to the butter. Then, slowly mix in the flour.
first ... then ... for instructions
The train stops at Taichung first, then Changhua, then Tainan.
then for listing stops in order
Enter your username and password, then click the login button.
The menu has soup first, then a main course, then dessert.
- next
interchangeable in most list contexts; 'next' is less common in recipes and instructions
- after that
more explicit and formal
- first
indicates the beginning of a sequence
文法句型
then + clause
then ... then ...
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on sequential position in a fixed order or list, not on time passing between events.
4. used to introduce an extra point, fact, or item that adds to what has already be
used to introduce an extra point, fact, or item that adds to what has already been said.
The rent is three thousand dollars, and then there are the utility bills too.
and then there is/are ... for adding items
Imran is funny and smart, and then he also speaks four languages.
We need milk, bread, and eggs, and then there is the cat food too.
The hotel room was beautiful, and then there was the view of the ocean.
- also
simpler; does not require a preceding clause with 'and'
- besides
more formal; used to add a further, often stronger, reason
- furthermore
highly formal; common in academic writing
文法句型
and then there is/are ...
用法筆記
Often follows 'and' in speech and informal writing. Common in listing arguments, reasons, or features. Not used for adding single items to a shopping list (use 'also' or 'as well' instead).
5. used to say that one thing is the necessary or inevitable result of another; as
used to say that one thing is the necessary or inevitable result of another; as a logical consequence.
If it rains tomorrow, then we will have to cancel the picnic.
if ... then for logical consequence
If you leave a tray of ice cubes in the sun, then they will melt quickly.
If the road is flooded after the storm, then cars cannot pass through.
If you practice the piano every day, then your playing will improve steadily.
If the battery is completely dead, then the car engine will not start.
文法句型
if ... then ...
用法筆記
Very common in 'if ... then ...' constructions. The 'then' is optional when the logical result is clear — 'If it rains, we will cancel' is equally correct.
常見錯誤
6. used to suggest an action or response that follows from a specific situation jus
used to suggest an action or response that follows from a specific situation just stated; in that case.
You do not like coffee? Then have some tea instead.
then for alternative based on preference
If the store is closed, then we will go to the one on Main Street.
Kofi wants to learn Spanish? Then he should sign up for the beginner class.
If you are not feeling well, then you should stay home and rest.
- in that case
more explicit and slightly more formal
- if so
shorter; used in formal and informal contexts
文法句型
if ... then ...
then + clause
用法筆記
Unlike sense 5 (LOGICAL RESULT), which states an inevitable cause-effect relationship, this sense presents a deliberate choice or course of action based on a stated situation. Often starts a new sentence after a statement or question.
常見錯誤
7. used to state what can reasonably be concluded or guessed from the information a
used to state what can reasonably be concluded or guessed from the information available.
You have never been to Tokyo. So then you must have flown into Osaka.
so then for logical inference
If none of the employees recognised him, then he was probably not a regular visitor.
The letter was dated last Tuesday, so then it should have arrived by Friday.
If the scientist published nothing after 2015, then she likely retired or changed fields.
- therefore
more direct and formal; common in academic reasoning
- accordingly
highly formal; used in legal and official documents
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (LOGICAL RESULT): this sense focuses on inference and deduction from evidence, not on cause-and-effect consequences. Frequently used in reasoning and problem-solving contexts.
8. used to introduce a final statement that summarises or wraps up what has been sa
used to introduce a final statement that summarises or wraps up what has been said before.
The plan, then, is to meet at the airport at six o'clock tomorrow morning.
then set off by commas for summing up
So then, we are all in agreement that the project should go ahead.
The situation, then, is more complicated than we first thought.
Then, the conclusion is clear: we need to invest in better equipment.
- so
less formal; common in everyday conversation
- therefore
emphasises logical connection rather than summary
- all in all
phrase used to introduce an overall assessment
用法筆記
When used for summing up, 'then' is often set off by commas (sentence-initial or parenthetical). Common in formal speeches, meeting summaries, and written conclusions.
常見錯誤
thens — noun
1. a particular time in the past that has already been mentioned or is already know
a particular time in the past that has already been mentioned or is already known.
I have not seen Talia since then. She moved away after high school.
collocation: since then
The theatre will be closed until then for renovations.
The professor was talking about the thens and nows of social media use among teenagers.
By then, the children had already finished their homework.
Life was different before then. People wrote letters instead of emails.
- that time
more common in everyday speech; less formal
- that moment
emphasises a specific point in time rather than a period
- now
the present time
文法句型
the then
from then on
until then
since then
用法筆記
The noun form is most commonly used in fixed prepositional phrases: 'since then', 'by then', 'until then', 'from then on'. The plural 'thens' appears in literary expressions like 'the thens and nows' to contrast past and present periods.