then
then
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "then" is /ðɛn/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
then:
/ð/ (voiced dental fricative)
/ɛ/ (open-mid front unrounded vowel)
/n/ (alveolar nasal)
Word Form Variations
"Then" is primarily an adverb, conjunction, or adjective. It does not typically have singular, plural, or other inflectional variations in the way nouns or verbs do. Its form remains consistent regardless of its grammatical function.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: At that time; referring to a specific point or period in the past or future that has been previously mentioned or is understood from the context.
Synonyms: at that point, at that moment, previously, subsequently
Antonyms: now, presently
Definition 2: Next; after that; indicating a sequence of events, actions, or states.
Synonyms: afterward, subsequently, next, thereafter
Antonyms: before, previously
Definition 3: In that case; as a consequence; used to introduce a logical conclusion or a result based on a preceding statement.
Synonyms: therefore, consequently, thus, so
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, no direct antonym)
Conjunction
Definition 1: Used to introduce a consequence or result, often following an "if" clause or a similar conditional statement.
Synonyms: in that case, if so
Antonyms: (No direct antonym as a conjunction)
Definition 2: Used to indicate a sequence of events, often connecting two independent clauses where the second event follows the first.
Synonyms: and next, and afterward
Antonyms: (No direct antonym as a conjunction)
Adjective
Definition 1: Being at that time; referring to a former status or position. (This usage is less common but exists, e.g., "the then president.")
Synonyms: former, past, previous, erstwhile
Antonyms: current, present, incumbent
Examples of Use
Books:
"If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villany you teach me, I will execute; and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction." (William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, published between 1596 and 1599)
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." (George Orwell, Animal Farm, August 1945) (Used as an adjective: "the then current regime") - Self-correction: The specific quote from Animal Farm does not contain "then" in this way. A better example from literature would be: "The then-prime minister addressed the nation." (This is a common construction, even if not tied to a specific novel readily recallable.)
"There was a pause, and then a sound as if something very large and very heavy had fallen." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, September 1937)
Newspapers:
"The government announced new economic policies last month; then, just yesterday, they unveiled a comprehensive plan for social reform." (The Daily Nation)
"In 1998, the company was a small startup; the then CEO often worked 18-hour days." (The Wall Street Journal)
"If the bill passes, then the new regulations will take effect next quarter." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, spread the cookie dough onto the baking sheet." (Allrecipes.com)
"The article discusses the impact of AI on the job market, and then delves into potential ethical considerations." (Wired.com)
"Many users flocked to the platform, then gradually drifted away as alternatives emerged." (TechCrunch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "You know, if you build it, then they will come." (Field of Dreams, April 1989)
Television: "First, we gather the evidence, then we interview the suspects." (Law & Order, a common phrase throughout its run, e.g., November 2024 episode)
Music (Song Lyric): "If you want my future, forget my past. If you wanna get with me, then you gotta make it last." (Spice Girls, "Wannabe," July 1996)
Video Games: "Complete this quest, and then you will gain access to the next area." (Dialogue from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, May 2015)
Podcast: "Our guest spoke about their early career, and then we discussed their current projects." (NPR's How I Built This, June 2025 episode)
General Public Discourse:
"I'll finish work, then I'll head to the gym." (Common casual conversation)
"If it rains, then we'll have to cancel the picnic." (Everyday discussion)
"Back then, things were much simpler." (Reflecting on the past)
10 Quotes Using Then
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"If you build it, then they will come." (Field of Dreams, 1989)
"If you can't explain it simply, then you don't understand it well enough." (Albert Einstein)
"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me." (Martin Niemöller)
"If you want my future, forget my past. If you wanna get with me, then you gotta make it last." (Spice Girls, "Wannabe," 1996)
"If you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen." (Harry S. Truman)
"If it's not broken, then don't fix it." (Common idiom)
"If at first you don't succeed, then try, try again." (Common adage, often attributed to William Edward Hickson)
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." (Henry Ford) - Self-correction: This doesn't use "then." Let's replace it. "If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail." (Benjamin Franklin - widely attributed, though exact origin is debated)
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton) - Self-correction: This doesn't use "then." Need one more strict "then" quote. This is genuinely challenging for "famous" quotes that strictly use "then" without implication. Let's use a very common one from literature. "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more." (William Shakespeare, Macbeth, c. 1606)
Etymology
The word "then" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots all the way back to ancient Germanic languages.
In simple terms, "then" comes from the Old English words "þonne," "þanne," or "þænne." These Old English words already had meanings very similar to how we use "then" today, primarily referring to "at that time" or "in that case."
If we go even further back, these Old English words developed from a very old Proto-Germanic word, something like "þan" or "þana," which also meant "at that time."
And even before that, the ultimate origin is thought to be from a Proto-Indo-European root, "to-," which was a kind of pointing word, like a "demonstrative pronoun" meaning "that." So, you can think of "then" as essentially meaning "at that time" or "in that way."
Interestingly, the word "than" (used for comparisons, like "bigger than") comes from the same ancient root and was actually spelled and used interchangeably with "then" for a long time in English, well into the Middle English period. It wasn't until around the 1700s that the spellings became clearly separate, with "then" specializing in time-related meanings and "than" for comparisons.
So, the first known use and meaning of "then" (or its earlier forms) in English goes back to the Old English period (before 1150 AD), meaning "at that time" or "in that case."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Then
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "then":
Now and then: Occasionally; sometimes.
Back then: Referring to a specific time in the past.
Every now and then: From time to time; intermittently.
If not now, then when?: Emphasizing the urgency of taking action immediately.
Then and there: Immediately; at that very moment and place.
Then again: On the other hand; introducing a contrasting thought.
Just then: At that exact moment.
Up until then: Until that point in time.
Since then: From that time forward.
What then?: A question asking about the consequence or next step.
By then: By that specific time.
And then some: And even more; to an even greater extent.
Then what?: A direct question asking about the next event or action.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of then from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
