and then we

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and then we" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a sequence of actions or events that follow one another in a narrative or explanation. Example: "We finished our meeting, and then we went out for lunch together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And then we left.

The New York Times

And then we lost".

The New York Times

And then we went shopping.

Independent

And then we eat doughnuts.

The New York Times

"And then we got 2011".

The New York Times - Science

And then we have "Avatar".

The New York Times

And then we were off.

Independent

And then we get wenches".

The New Yorker

And then we charged on.

The New Yorker

And then we kept talking.

The New Yorker

And then we were laughing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and then we" to clearly indicate a sequence of actions or events in narrative writing. This helps maintain clarity and flow for the reader.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "and then we". Vary your sentence structure to improve readability and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and then we" primarily functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects clauses or sentences to indicate a sequence of actions or events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "and then we" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for indicating a sequence of actions or events. As Ludwig AI points out, it's effective for narrative writing and conveying chronological order. While predominantly found in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. For stylistic variation, consider alternatives like "subsequently we" or "following that we", but avoid overuse of "and then we" to maintain sentence structure variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

then, we

A more concise version, suitable for informal contexts.

we then

Inverts the order for a slight change in emphasis, maintaining the sequential meaning.

next, we

A simpler and more direct way to indicate the next step in a sequence.

following that, we

Emphasizes the sequential nature of events with a slightly more descriptive phrase.

after which, we

Connects two events by indicating the second immediately follows the first.

subsequently, we

Replaces "and then" with a more formal adverb indicating sequence.

afterward, we

Similar to 'thereafter' but can be slightly less formal, still indicating sequence.

thereafter, we

Uses a more formal term to indicate what happened after a specific event.

once we had

Highlights the completion of one action before starting the next.

later, we

Indicates that the second action happened at a later time, without specifying immediacy.

FAQs

How can I use "and then we" in a sentence?

Use "and then we" to connect two related actions or events in sequence. For example, "We finished the meeting, and then we went to lunch."

What are some alternatives to "and then we"?

Alternatives include "subsequently we", "thereafter we", or "following that we", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "and then we"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, especially in informal writing or speech. However, avoid overuse to maintain sentence variety. Using alternatives like "next we", or "afterward we" can help.

What's the difference between "and then we" and "we then"?

"And then we" emphasizes the sequence of events, while "we then" places more emphasis on the subject performing the action. For example, "And then we left" focuses on the leaving, while "We then left" emphasizes who left.