of the then

USAGE SUMMARY

"of the then" is not a grammatically correct phrase.
If you are referring to something that happened in the past, you can use the phrase "at the time". For example, "At the time, I had no idea what to do."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The letter was merely following the language of the then pending bill.

Cornell University

His own name was there among the signatories, as was that of the then Father Ratzinger.

The Guardian

That led to the resignation of the then leader, John Swinney.

The Guardian - Opinion

Orwell offers a highly qualified appreciation of the then (and still) politically incorrect Kipling.

The New York Times

The words of the then schools adjudicator, Philip Hunter, have rung in my ears ever since.

The Guardian

One was a critique of the then recently released horror film The Exorcist.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

That was nearly half (49.5percentt) of the then-population.

The Washington Post

During the third and fourth years, students will pay: (i) 75% of the then-current Law School tuition, and (ii) 25% of the then-current Kennedy School tuition.

Harvard University

Typically the dismissal is effective immediately, or at the end of the then-current semester.

Columbia University

If much of the then-dominant "late Modernism" eschewed ornament, prior architectures acted more as "ducks".

Princeton University

790, 794, 798, 99 L.Ed. 1129, for a discussion of the then-existing 'post-audit' procedure.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the grammatically questionable phrase "of the then", opt for clearer alternatives like "at the time" or "during that period" to ensure your writing is precise and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid directly translating phrases from other languages or creating constructions that don't align with standard English grammar. "Of the then" is not a recognized or correct English phrase; using established alternatives ensures clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of the then" functions as a prepositional modifier, attempting to specify a point in time. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incorrect. Proper alternatives should be used to ensure clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "of the then" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically incorrect. Its intended use is to provide temporal context, but it's crucial to opt for correct alternatives like "at the time" or "during that period". Predominantly found in News & Media and academic sources, its incorrectness means it should be avoided, especially in formal writing. Use more grammatically sound alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at that time

Replaces "of the then" with a simpler and more grammatically standard expression of time.

at the time

Similar to "at that time", providing a general reference to a specific past moment.

during that era

Substitutes "of the then" with a phrase that indicates a period or epoch.

in those days

Offers a more informal way to refer to a past time period.

back then

A concise and informal way of referring to a time in the past.

formerly

Implies a previous state or condition.

previously

Similar to "formerly", indicating something that occurred before the present.

at an earlier point

A more formal way of saying "at an earlier time."

in the past

A general reference to a non-specific time before the present.

in bygone days

An idiom to indicate a past time, more informal than the other options.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express "of the then" in English?

The phrase "of the then" is grammatically incorrect. Use alternatives like "at that time", "at the time", or "during that period" instead.

When is it appropriate to use "of the then"?

The phrase "of the then" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It should be avoided in formal writing and speech. While it might appear in some contexts, it's best to use a grammatically sound alternative.

What can I say instead of "of the then" to refer to a past time?

Instead of "of the then", consider using phrases such as "formerly", "previously", or "in the past" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Is there a difference in meaning between "of the then" and "at the time"?

While the intended meaning of "of the then" might be similar to "at the time", the former is not grammatically correct. "At the time" is a standard and clear way to refer to a specific point in the past.