hello then

USAGE SUMMARY

"hello then" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to introduce a question or comment that follows. For example: "Hello then, can I help you with anything?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

He was soon introduced; she said a quick hello, then went back to reading.

The New York Times

Genesis whispered a shy hello, then scampered off to do homework.

The New Yorker

Each customer is a regular who enters Keenan Wynn's greasy spoon with a big hello, then proceeds to antagonize the help, grouse about work, or spout deep-fried Freud.

The New Yorker

On a recent night, he paused at a table for a quick hello, then excused himself: he had to attend to the pair of Russian aristocrats sitting in the corner booth.

The New Yorker

It took about 10 seconds for the bartender to say a hearty hello, then another 15 for the Bud drinker, a sunburned fellow in a tropical shirt, shorts and Tevas, to introduce himself.

The New York Times - Travel

Once outside, however, Joe Bramante, a freelance Democrat from Derry, N.H., bearded delegates with a big, bluff hello, then asked, "So, how's the economy?" Before Republicans could answer, Mr. Bramante spun a hand-printed sign on its stanchion: "I am Bill Clinton's Number One Fan!" And he told each of them about the booming economy as they sought escape.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The dogs sniffed their hellos, then settled on blankets on the floor, and Suzin Webb, who teaches about 15 such courses a year, began her instruction.

The New York Times

As he basked on deck Algorar said "hello hello hello" and then "sorry" as the second man simply fell into his mouth.

Vice

It seemed more awkward not to introduce ourselves, so we said a quick "hello" and then argued amongst ourselves about whether it had been appropriate to do so.

Huffington Post

She said one word — hello — and then backed away from the microphone, without so much as a glad-to-be-here.

The New York Times

So I had some ginger tea, said hello and then left very awkwardly.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hello then" to smoothly transition between a greeting and an immediately following question or statement.

Common error

Avoid using "hello then" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound too casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "hello therefore" or "hello subsequently" in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hello then" functions as a greeting followed by a transitional phrase. It connects an initial greeting with a subsequent question, statement, or action. Ludwig shows examples where it smoothly introduces the next part of the conversation or action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hello then" serves as a common and acceptable way to transition from a greeting to a subsequent statement or question, as confirmed by Ludwig. While its grammatical status is correct, it's generally considered more appropriate for neutral to informal contexts, with frequent usage in News & Media. For more formal settings, alternatives like "hello therefore" may be more suitable. Ludwig's examples provide clear illustrations of its effective use in connecting greetings with follow-up inquiries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hello so

More casual alternative, implying a simple sequence.

hello therefore

More formal alternative, suggesting a logical consequence.

hello thus

Similar to "hello therefore", indicating a result or conclusion.

hello afterward

Focuses on the temporal sequence of events.

hello after that

Similar to 'hello afterward', emphasizing the following action.

hello next

Emphasizes the order of events, indicating the subsequent step.

hello subsequently

A more formal and less common way to indicate a following action.

hello in that case

Introduces a statement based on a preceding condition.

hello with that said

A phrase to transition into a related but perhaps contrasting point.

hello accordingly

Indicates that the following statement is consistent with what precedes it.

FAQs

How can I use "hello then" in a sentence?

You can use "hello then" to connect a greeting with a question or statement, such as "Hello then, what can I do for you today?"

What are some alternatives to saying "hello then"?

Some alternatives include "hello so", "hello therefore", or "hello afterward", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "hello then" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "hello then" is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more formal alternatives.

What's the difference between "hello then" and "hello so"?

"Hello then" and "hello so" are quite similar, with "hello so" being slightly more casual. The best choice depends on the tone you want to convey.