and then head of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and then head of" is not correct and usable in written English as it is incomplete and lacks clarity.
It could be used in a context where you are describing a sequence of events leading to a leadership position, but it needs to be part of a complete sentence. Example: "After several years of hard work, she was promoted and then head of the marketing department."

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

In 1968, she became deputy head and then head of Beckford primary school.

The Guardian

A successful businessman, he was the founder of Innovation Luggage and then head of Gleicher Enterprises.

The New York Times

Next to join him was the producer and then head of Paramount Studios, Robert Evans.

The Guardian - Film

She eventually rose through the ranks, becoming chief financial officer at Citigroup and then head of its wealth management division.

The New York Times

He is co-founder of the Northwest School in Seattle, acting as Head of School 1983-1990, and then Head of the Science Department since 1990.

University of California, Berkeley

Prior to the present position he was head R&D of Sclavo and then head of vaccine research and Chief Scientific Officer of Chiron Corporation.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Mackay and then-head of recruitment Iain Moody argued Tan and chief executive Lim were aware the initial figure was solely for transfer fees, knew it would increase to around £50m when factors such as salaries, image rights and agent fees were taken into consideration - and signed off each acquisition themselves.

BBC

Named archivist (1825) and then head librarian (1830) of the city of Frankfurt, Böhmer began publishing the Regesta.

Britannica

Seeing a car parked on the road, he and Jesse Warfield, then head of security, jumped into a pickup and began driving down the compound's long driveway.

The New York Times

So was Pakistan's new acting President, the seventy-three-year-old Ghulam Ishaq Khan, who had been Pakistan's Finance Minister and was then head of the Senate.

The New Yorker

What emerges from the report, she says, is that there were "two silos" at the BBC, headed by head of news Helen Boaden and the then head of vision George Entwistle, who failed to communicate with each other.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "and then head of", ensure it's part of a complete sentence that clearly describes a sequence of roles or positions, especially in professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "and then head of" in isolation without a preceding action or position to create a clear sequence. It should always follow a description of a previous role or achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and then head of" functions as a connector in sentences, indicating a chronological sequence of roles or positions held by an individual. It builds upon a prior role, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples, showing career progression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "and then head of" is a common way to illustrate a sequence of roles, typically within a professional or academic setting. Ludwig AI flags it as potentially incomplete, yet its widespread use in reputable sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and BBC suggests it's generally acceptable. While grammatically sound, context is key: "and then head of" works best as part of a larger sentence describing a clear progression. Consider alternatives like "subsequently head of" or "later head of" for slight variations in tone. When writing, remember that precise usage contributes to clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and subsequently head of

Replaces "then" with "subsequently", emphasizing a chronological sequence and a following leadership role.

and later head of

Substitutes "then" with "later", denoting a time-based progression to a leadership position.

and afterwards head of

Replaces "then" with "afterwards", highlighting a sequence where one role follows the other.

and promoted to head of

Emphasizes the aspect of promotion or advancement to the leadership role.

and appointed head of

Focuses on the act of being officially designated or assigned to the leadership role.

and became head of

Uses "became" instead of "then head of", presenting a direct transition to the leadership role.

and was named head of

Highlights the act of someone being designated as the head of something.

and assumed the position of head of

Uses a more formal tone to describe taking on the role.

and took over as head of

Indicates a takeover or transition of leadership.

and ultimately led

Implies a final position of leadership after a series of steps.

FAQs

How to use "and then head of" in a sentence?

The phrase "and then head of" is used to describe a progression in roles, usually within an organization. For example: "She started as a clerk and then head of the department." Ensure the context clearly indicates a sequence of positions.

What can I say instead of "and then head of"?

Alternatives include "and subsequently head of", "and later head of", or "and became head of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "and then head of" or "and subsequently head of"?

Both "and then head of" and "and subsequently head of" are grammatically acceptable. "Subsequently" adds a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the sequential nature of the roles. Choose based on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "and head of" without the "then"?

While grammatically possible, omitting "then" can sometimes make the sentence sound less clear regarding the sequence of events. The inclusion of "then" explicitly indicates a chronological order, improving readability and comprehension.