By then

USAGE SUMMARY

'By then' is a correct and usable form of written English.
It is used to indicate that something will have happened or been completed by a specific moment in the future. Example sentence: We should have finished the project by then.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By then, the….

The New Yorker

By then, L.S.U.

The New York Times

By then, it was late.

The New York Times

By then, he had company.

The New York Times

By then Madrid had gone.

The Guardian - Sport

By then I was 35.

The New York Times

By then he was married.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By then, he already had.

The New York Times - Sports

By then, victory seemed certain.

The New York Times - Sports

By then, Hearts were sated.

The Guardian - Sport

By then it hardly mattered.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "By then" to clearly establish a sequence of events, indicating that one thing will be true or completed after another has occurred. Ensure the context makes the order of events clear.

Common error

Avoid using "By then" when the order of events is ambiguous. Always ensure it's clear which event must happen before the state described by "By then" becomes true.

Linguistic Context

By then functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the time at which an action or state will occur. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "By then" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a point in time after a specified event or period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It is most frequently encountered in news and media sources, and while suitable for both formal and informal contexts, alternatives like "subsequently" might be preferable in highly formal writing. Remember to maintain clarity in temporal sequences when using "by then" to avoid ambiguity. Understanding its function and appropriate usage helps ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At that point

Focuses on a specific moment in time already referenced.

Subsequently

Emphasizes the sequence of events more formally.

Thereafter

Similar to subsequently, but with a slightly more formal tone.

In the aftermath

Highlights the consequences or period following an event.

Eventually

Suggests a longer duration before the event happens.

In due course

Implies that something will happen at the appropriate time.

Down the line

More informal, indicating a future point in time.

In the fullness of time

Suggests a significant amount of time passing.

As time went on

Focuses on the passage of time and gradual change.

In the intervening period

Highlights the time between two events.

FAQs

How can I use "By then" in a sentence?

Use "By then" to indicate that a certain state or action will be completed at a specific time in the future, relative to another event. For example, "We should have finished the project "by then"".

What are some alternatives to using "By then"?

You can use alternatives like "at that point", "subsequently", or "thereafter" depending on the specific context.

Is "By then" formal or informal?

"By then" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but alternatives like "subsequently" or "thereafter" may be more appropriate for highly formal writing.

What is the difference between ""by then"" and "by that time"?

"By then" and "by that time" are largely interchangeable, with "by that time" perhaps providing slightly more emphasis on the specific moment being referenced.