he was then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was then" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are referring to something that happened in the past. For example: "He was then sent away to boarding school for the rest of his education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was then seventeen.

The New Yorker

He was then released.

The New York Times

He was then 85.

The New York Times

He was then paroled.

The New York Times

He was then arrested.

The New York Times

He was then escorted out.

Independent

He was then 36.

The Guardian - Books

He was then exonerated.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was then sent to Estonia.

The New Yorker

How right he was, then as now.

The Economist

He was then in his mid-80s.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was then" to clearly indicate a state or action occurring at a specific point in the past, particularly when sequencing events. This helps maintain chronological clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "he was then" to refer to current or future events; this phrase is strictly for past occurrences. Ensure the surrounding context also reflects past tense for grammatical consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was then" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating time or sequence. It establishes a temporal relationship between events, clarifying when a particular state or action occurred in relation to a preceding event. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was then" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction to denote a specific time or sequence of events in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across varied writing contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific and encyclopedic sources, "he was then" serves to establish temporal relationships, aiding in chronological clarity. For alternatives, one can use phrases like "at that point he was" or "subsequently he was", each providing a nuanced way to express the same temporal succession. Remember to maintain consistent past tense and avoid using it for current or future scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at that point he was

Replaces "then" with "at that point" to emphasize a specific moment in time.

he was at the time

Substitutes "then" with "at the time", highlighting the circumstances surrounding a past event.

subsequently, he was

Uses "subsequently" to indicate that the action followed after a previous event.

thereafter, he was

Employs "thereafter" to denote a period following a specific point in time.

he subsequently became

Focuses on the result of a temporal change.

after that, he was

Indicates a clear sequence of events.

following this, he was

Highlights the order of actions, providing clear transition.

at that stage, he was

Replaces "then" with "at that stage" indicating a moment in an evolution.

by that time, he was

Uses "by that time" to specify a past moment until which an action occurred.

in those days, he was

Replaces "then" with "in those days" highlighting an epoch.

FAQs

How can I use "he was then" in a sentence?

Use "he was then" to describe a state or action that occurred at a specific time in the past, usually in relation to a previous event. For example, "He finished his degree; he was then hired by a leading firm."

What are some alternatives to using "he was then"?

You can use alternatives such as "at that point he was", "subsequently he was", or "at the time he was" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "he was then" and "he was subsequently"?

"He was then" indicates a general sequence of events, while "he was subsequently" emphasizes that the second event happened as a direct result of the first. The latter implies a stronger cause-and-effect relationship.

Can I use "he was then" to describe a future event?

No, "he was then" should only be used to refer to events that have already occurred in the past. Using it in the context of a future event would be grammatically incorrect.