thens
thens — 形容詞
- thenspositive
- thensercomparative
- thensestsuperlative
1. describes a person who held a particular position, or a situation that existed,
當時的
描述過去某時擔任某職位的人或存在的狀態
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.
當時的總統 Jimmy Carter 在 1978 年簽署了這項協議。
then + noun for past roles
The then manager of the factory, Mr. Chen, announced the closure on Friday.
當時的工廠經理陳先生在星期五宣布關廠。
The then owners of the house had lived there for forty years.
當時的屋主在那棟房子裡住了四十年。
Under the then rules, women were not allowed to vote.
在當時的規定下，女性是不允許投票的。
- 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 — 副詞
1. at a particular moment in the past; used to refer to a time that has already bee
那時
指已經提過的過去某個時間點
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.
我那時候還住在台灣，所以沒聽到這個消息。
Life was much harder back then. People had no electricity or running water.
那時候生活苦多了，人們沒有電也沒有自來水。
collocation: back then
Rania was only a student then, and she had very little money.
Rania 當時只是個學生，錢很少。
By then, the restaurant had already closed for the night.
到那個時候，餐廳已經打烊了。
The hospital was built in 2010. The town was much smaller then.
那間醫院是在 2010 年蓋的，當時小鎮小得多。
- 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
然後
某事件之後緊接著發生另一事件
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.
先把作業做完，然後你就可以打電動了。
first ... then ... sequence
The rain stopped, and then the sun came out from behind the clouds.
雨停了，然後太陽從雲層後面出來了。
Minh waited for the kettle to boil, then poured the hot water into a cup.
Minh 等水壺煮開，然後把熱水倒進杯子裡。
Greta opened the box carefully and then lifted out a small wooden bird.
Greta 小心翼翼地打開盒子，然後拿出了一隻小木鳥。
- 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
其次；再來
用於列舉順序中的下一項
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.
先把雞蛋加入奶油中，然後慢慢拌入麵粉。
first ... then ... for instructions
The train stops at Taichung first, then Changhua, then Tainan.
火車先停台中，再來是彰化，然後是台南。
then for listing stops in order
Enter your username and password, then click the login button.
輸入您的使用者名稱和密碼，然後點擊登入按鈕。
The menu has soup first, then a main course, then dessert.
菜單上先是湯，再來是主菜，然後是甜點。
- 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
此外；而且
在已說明的基礎上補充額外訊息
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.
房租是三千美元，此外還有水電費要付。
and then there is/are ... for adding items
Imran is funny and smart, and then he also speaks four languages.
Imran 風趣又聰明，而且還會說四種語言。
We need milk, bread, and eggs, and then there is the cat food too.
我們需要牛奶、麵包和雞蛋，此外還有貓飼料。
The hotel room was beautiful, and then there was the view of the ocean.
飯店的房間很美，此外還有海景可以看。
- 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
那麼；就
根據前面陳述自然得出的結果
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.
如果明天下雨，那麼我們就得取消野餐了。
if ... then for logical consequence
If you leave a tray of ice cubes in the sun, then they will melt quickly.
如果你把一盤冰塊放在太陽底下，那麼它們很快就會融化。
If the road is flooded after the storm, then cars cannot pass through.
如果暴風雨後道路淹水，那麼汽車就無法通行。
If you practice the piano every day, then your playing will improve steadily.
如果你每天練習鋼琴，那麼你的琴藝就會穩步進步。
If the battery is completely dead, then the car engine will not start.
如果電池完全沒電，那麼汽車引擎就無法發動。
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
那就
根據特定情況指出應採取的下一步
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.
你不喜歡咖啡？那就喝茶吧。
then for alternative based on preference
If the store is closed, then we will go to the one on Main Street.
如果商店已經關了，那我們就去 Main Street 那家。
Kofi wants to learn Spanish? Then he should sign up for the beginner class.
Kofi 想學西班牙文？那他應該去報名初級班。
If you are not feeling well, then you should stay home and rest.
如果你身體不舒服，那你就應該待在家裡休息。
- 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
這麼說來
根據既有資訊合理推測出結論
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.
你從來沒去過東京。這麼說來，你一定是飛到大阪的。
so then for logical inference
If none of the employees recognised him, then he was probably not a regular visitor.
如果沒有任何員工認出他，那麼他很可能不是常客。
The letter was dated last Tuesday, so then it should have arrived by Friday.
那封信的日期是上星期二，這麼說來應該星期五就到了。
If the scientist published nothing after 2015, then she likely retired or changed fields.
如果那位科學家在 2015 年之後就沒發表過論文，那麼她很可能退休或轉行了。
- 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
總而言之
用於引導總結或歸納性的陳述
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.
總而言之，計劃就是明天早上六點在機場碰面。
then set off by commas for summing up
So then, we are all in agreement that the project should go ahead.
總而言之，我們都同意這個專案應該繼續進行。
The situation, then, is more complicated than we first thought.
總而言之，情況比我們最初想的要複雜。
Then, the conclusion is clear: we need to invest in better equipment.
總而言之，結論很明確：我們需要投資更好的設備。
- 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 — 名詞
1. a particular time in the past that has already been mentioned or is already know
當時
已提過或已知的過去某個時刻
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.
我從那時候起就沒見過 Talia，她高中畢業後就搬走了。
collocation: since then
The theatre will be closed until then for renovations.
劇院在那之前會關閉進行整修。
The professor was talking about the thens and nows of social media use among teenagers.
那位教授正在談青少年使用社交媒體的今昔對比。
By then, the children had already finished their homework.
到那時，孩子們已經寫完作業了。
Life was different before then. People wrote letters instead of emails.
那時候的生活不一樣，人們寫信而不是寫電子郵件。
- 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.