laughs then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laughs then" is not standard in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used in a narrative or dialogue to indicate that someone laughs at a specific moment in time. Example: "She told a funny story, and he just laughs then, unable to contain his amusement."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

He laughs, then falls serious.

The Guardian

He laughs then, a queer, sad laugh.

The New Yorker

She laughs, then adds: "It was scary.

The Guardian - Books

"And if the audience laughs, then it's a solved problem".

The New York Times - Arts

'I think so,' she laughs, then corrects herself.

The Guardian

Clare laughs, then suddenly remembers allegiance to her gender.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Steve laughed, then relayed the message to the police department.

The New York Times

She laughed then.

The New Yorker

I would laugh then".

The New Yorker

Vance laughed, then stopped.

The New York Times - Magazine

He laughed, then he stammered.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of actions where laughter is immediately followed by something else, "laughs then" can be effective for creating a sense of immediacy in narratives or dialogue. Ensure the context clearly indicates the chronological order.

Common error

While acceptable in informal contexts, avoid overuse of "laughs then" in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated transitions like "laughs, subsequently" or "laughs, after which" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laughs then" functions as a narrative connector, indicating a sequence of events where laughter is immediately followed by another action or state. As seen in the examples from Ludwig, it's frequently used in descriptive passages or dialogue to illustrate a reaction and its subsequent unfolding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "laughs then" is a commonly used narrative device to indicate a sequence where laughter is immediately followed by another action or state. Although acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it can sound informal, and might be better replaced with more sophisticated transitions in formal contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its purpose is to convey a quick transition, adding a touch of immediacy and informality to writing. Consider alternatives such as "laughs afterward" or "laughs subsequently" for more formal tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laughs afterwards

Indicates laughter followed by a subsequent action or state, similar to "laughs then" but emphasizing the temporal sequence.

chuckles, subsequently

Replaces "laughs" with a more subdued form of laughter and "then" with a formal adverb indicating sequence.

breaks into laughter, followed by

Emphasizes the sudden onset of laughter and its immediate succession by something else.

begins laughing, and after that

A more descriptive and slightly elongated alternative, specifying the start of laughing and a subsequent event.

starts to laugh, whereupon

Uses a more formal "whereupon" to indicate the immediate consequence of the laughter.

is amused, and consequently

Replaces "laughs" with a broader term for amusement and uses "consequently" to show the result.

giggles, and from there

Substitutes "laughs" with a lighter, often more playful form of laughter, indicating a shift in direction or action.

roars with laughter, subsequently

Emphasizes the intensity of the laughter before the subsequent action.

has a good laugh, before

Implies a more extended period of laughter before something else occurs.

erupts in laughter, and subsequently

Highlights a sudden outburst of laughter followed by a subsequent action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "laughs then" indicates that someone laughs and immediately after that, something else happens. For instance, "He "laughs then", realizing the absurdity of the situation."

What are some alternatives to "laughs then"?

You can use phrases like "laughs afterward", "laughs subsequently", or "then laughs", depending on the context.

Is "laughs then" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "laughs then" can sound somewhat informal. It's generally acceptable in casual conversation and narrative writing, but might be less suitable for formal contexts. Consider using alternative phrasing in formal writing.

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

"Laughs then" emphasizes the laughter as a starting point, with something following immediately after. "Then laughs" /s/then+laughs can emphasize the timing of the laughter within a sequence of events.