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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a then one
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a then one" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a misunderstanding or misphrasing, as it does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "I would like to have a then one option available for consideration."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
As an aside, note that on February 12 , 2012the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group through their subsidiary the New York Mercantile Exchange, traded a then one day record of 3,098,129 energy futures and options.
News & Media
For genome B that is in the list of others(A), if the size of others(B) < size of others(A), then one should be able to discriminate genome A to a higher level (with fewer others(A)), if more genome groups are included in the solution set.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
Last year the company opened Amazon Books, a then one-off bookstore also based in Seattle.
News & Media
If (a neq1), then one has a unique fixed point.
If one accepts a proposition, then one can also act upon the proposition.
Science
In one scene, 13 dancers stood in a line, then one by one fell down.
News & Media
At first it was one a week, then one every day.
News & Media
where is a constant, then one has (3.33).
Obviously, if we find a solution, then one must have.
If the classifier identified a leak, then one point would be recorded for the leak state.
Science
Assume that pointed convex cone has a base ; then one has the following.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "a then one" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives such as "subsequently" or "later on" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.
Common error
Avoid directly translating sequential thoughts using "a then one". This construction is grammatically awkward. Instead, clarify the sequence using connectors such as "subsequently", "afterward", or "then" followed by a more specific description.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a then one" is often used to indicate sequence or succession, though it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English, suggesting it may stem from a misunderstanding of proper sequential connectors. Its function attempts to link events or items in a chronological order.
Frequent in
News & Media
67%
Science
33%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "a then one" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is rarely used in standard English. As Ludwig AI explains, it's better to use alternatives such as "subsequently", "afterward", or clearer sequential connectors to ensure correct grammar and clear communication. While a few examples can be found, their infrequency suggests that this phrase should be avoided in formal or professional writing. Rely on grammatically sound options for expressing sequential relationships.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
subsequently
Focuses on time sequence, lacking the article.
afterward
Similar to 'subsequently', focusing on the following action or event.
later on
Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the sequence, no article and different preposition.
next in line
Indicates order or position in a series.
the following one
More grammatically sound with the definite article.
one after another
Highlights the sequential nature of events or items.
and then another
Emphasizes the addition of another item or event in sequence.
then a second
Highlights a second step that might follow.
following that
More formal, emphasizing the temporal sequence.
after a while
Indicates a period of time passing before the next event.
FAQs
What can I say instead of "a then one"?
You can use alternatives like "subsequently", "afterward", or "later on" depending on the context.
How to correct the phrase "a then one" in a sentence?
Replace "a then one" with phrases that clearly indicate sequence, such as "and then", "after that", or "following that".
Is "a then one" grammatically correct?
No, "a then one" is generally not considered grammatically correct in standard English. More appropriate phrases should be used to indicate sequence or order.
What is the difference between "a then one" and "and then"?
"A then one" is usually grammatically incorrect. "And then" is a standard conjunction used to indicate that something follows the previous action or statement.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested