at then

USAGE SUMMARY

"at then" is not a correct phrase in written English.
It is not a phrase that is used in spoken English either. If you want to express the idea of something happening at a certain moment, you can use the phrase "at that time." For example, "At that time, I had already left the party."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Coaches are hitting the register for lot of zeroes at then end of their contract.

Huffington Post

Although … who will I scream at then?

The Guardian - Money

Who else can I stare at then?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And we nibble at, then gulp our chosen reading material.

The New York Times

One of the women she was yelling at then nodded.

The Washington Post

"If you believe that's where you at, then you gonna act that way.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

He sustained a broken in Notre Dame's 30-13 win at then-No.

The New York Times

Hurley was not too worried that Wagner's 59-54 upset at then-No.

The New York Times - Sports

The Gamecocks lost, 82-73, at then-No. 2 Michigan State on Nov. 16.

The New York Times - Sports

Get all this: No. 6 LSU (3-0), which scored that big win at then-No.

The Washington Post

His win was widely read as a dig at then-President George W. Bush.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at then" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "at that time" or "back then" to maintain clarity and credibility.

Common error

A common error is to conflate "at" with "then" when trying to pinpoint a specific moment in time. Remember that "then" already implies a time reference, so using "at" before it creates redundancy and grammatical incorrectness. Instead, consider "at that time" or use "then" on its own within the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at then" does not have a recognized grammatical function in standard English. It appears to be an incorrect combination of a preposition and an adverb. As Ludwig AI points out, it's not a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at then" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both written and spoken English. As Ludwig AI states, it is not a correct phrase. Instead, use alternatives like "at that time" or "back then" for clarity and correctness. Understanding the proper use of temporal adverbs and prepositions can help avoid such errors and improve overall communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at that time

Replaces "then" with a more specific temporal reference, indicating a particular point in the past.

at the time

Omits "then" and implies a specific moment being referred to within the context.

back then

Emphasizes a past time, distinct from the present.

at that point

Shifts the focus to a specific moment or stage in a sequence of events.

during that period

Specifies a duration of time rather than a precise instant.

in those days

Indicates a more general era or time frame in the past.

at which point

Introduces a subsequent event that directly follows a previous one.

at the moment

Highlights the immediacy and specific timing of an event.

at this point

Shifts the focus to the present time, contrasting with a previous state.

on that occasion

Refers to a specific event or instance in the past.

FAQs

Why is "at then" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "at then" is redundant because "then" already implies a point in time. Using "at" before it is unnecessary and doesn't conform to standard English grammar.

What are some alternatives to "at then" that I can use in my writing?

Instead of "at then", you can use phrases like "at that time", "back then", or simply "then" depending on the context.

How does "at that time" differ in meaning from "at then"?

While "at then" is ungrammatical, "at that time" is a correct and clear way to refer to a specific point in the past. It provides a more precise temporal reference.

Is "at then" ever acceptable in spoken English?

Although you might occasionally hear phrases similar to "at then" in very informal speech, it's generally best to avoid it, even in casual conversation. Using correct grammar enhances clarity and comprehension.