i then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I then" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a sequence of events or actions. Example: "I finished my homework, and then I went for a walk." In this sentence, "I then" is used to show that the action of going for a walk happened after the action of finishing homework.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I then hung up".

Independent

I then walked away.

The New York Times

"Who was I then?

The New York Times - Travel

I then elaborated the correlation.

The New York Times

"Where am I then?

The Guardian

Why do I then resist?

The New York Times - Magazine

I then ended our relationship.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

I then considered the concept of efficiency.

Plosone

I then concentrate on open lists, in particular their intonation.

Journal of Pragmatics

I [then] got the lights.

Los Angeles Times

I then came back.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I then" to clearly indicate the chronological sequence of your actions or thoughts in narratives and reports.

Common error

Avoid using "I then" excessively in a single paragraph. Vary your sentence structure with alternative transition words like "afterward", "subsequently", or "next" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I then" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb that follows to indicate the sequence of events. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct, as evidenced by the examples in the search results.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I then" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction, primarily used to denote a chronological sequence of events. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and indicates its prevalence across diverse writing styles, from neutral news reports to formal scientific papers. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse and to consider synonymous alternatives, such as "subsequently" or "afterward", for stylistic variation. Its application is generally appropriate in neutral to formal contexts, where a clear sequential presentation of actions is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequently, I

This alternative emphasizes the chronological order and the action that follows.

thereafter, I

Indicates that something happened after a specific event or time.

following that, I

Highlights the order in which the events occurred.

afterward, I

Implies a later time or event in relation to a previous one.

next, I

A simple way to express the sequence of events.

at that point, I

Highlights a particular moment in time when the action occurred.

upon doing that, I

Specifies an action that directly precedes the following action.

at that time, I

Emphasizes the specific timing of the action.

in turn, I

Highlights the sequential nature of actions.

in due course, I

Highlights that the action took place in a proper or expected time.

FAQs

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

Use "I then" to indicate the next step in a sequence of events, like "I finished my report, "subsequently, I" submitted it to my manager".

What are some alternatives to "I then"?

You can use alternatives like "afterward", "subsequently", or "next" to vary your writing style.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "I then"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "I then" is grammatically correct, especially when you want to emphasize the sequence of actions.

How does "I then" differ from "and then"?

"I then" is more formal and explicitly indicates that the action is being performed by the speaker. "And then" is a more general connective that doesn't necessarily specify the actor, and it's often considered more informal than "I then".