Then (Adverb)
Meaning 1
At that time; "I was young then"; "prices were lower back then"; "science as it was then taught".
Examples
- Life moved at a slower pace back then.
- Prices were much higher in the US back then compared to the rest of the world.
- Science as it was then understood barely touched on the mysteries of black holes.
- The little town where I grew up was much quieter back then.
- In those days, computers were massive and expensive, so they were mainly used by big businesses back then.
Meaning 2
Subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors); "then he left"; "go left first, then right"; "first came lightning, then thunder"; "we watched the late movie and then went to bed"; "and so home and to bed".
Examples
- She spent two years studying in London, then returned to her home town.
- When we got to the restaurant, they told us to go left first, then right to find our table.
- First the door opened, then a tall, dark figure emerged.
- They watched their favorite TV show, then headed to bed.
- I arrived at the office early, then began to tackle the day's tasks.
Synonyms
Meaning 3
In that case or as a consequence; "if he didn't take it, then who did?"; "keep it then if you want to"; "the case, then, is closed"; "you've made up your mind then?"; "then you'll be rich".
Examples
- She said she was tired, then fell asleep immediately.
- He didn't want to pay for it, then why did he go to the store?
- The company went bankrupt, then was bought by a rival firm.
- They've been planning this for years, then it has to be successful.
- You can keep the ticket then, I won't be attending the concert.