sent then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sent then" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a past action but lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "I sent then the documents you requested."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

If the recipient isn't online when the file is sent then it will be stored for 5 days before being removed from the system.

Independent

Leeds were a minute away from a place in the fourth round of the Worthington when two injury-time goals sent then crashing and left them with just one victory from their last nine matches.

The Guardian - Sport

If the government goes cold on the northern powerhouse, and fails to show these areas that it has listened and understood the message they sent, then the political crisis in our country will only deepen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her husband served in the Falklands conflict in 1982, and he told her that it was a cake from a WI box sent then that had done more to boost his morale than any number of medals.

The Guardian

But if these kinds of early signals are being sent, then we could see a significant transformation on same-sex marriage in the African-American community," J. Michael Bitzer, a professor of political science at Catawba College in North Carolina, said.

The New York Times

The message sent, then, in the world and at home, is precisely the wrong one for this historical juncture, when the United States needs — at least for the moment — to convince the world that the project of international legality is one in which we believe.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

His imagination fails him even though he, his pal Dick Cheney and his ward W. sent then-Secretary of State Colin Powell to the U.N. to market a story that fell apart one invasion later.

The New York Times

In 1869, the Prussian Navy sent then-Korvettenkapitän Alexander von Monts to Austria to examine the new Whitehead torpedoes then being developed there.

Wikipedia

Trump famously sent then-White House press secretary Sean Spicer into the press briefing room to slam media reports that he had drawn fewer spectators than President Barack Obama during his first inauguration in 2009. .

Huffington Post

Once you press send then fine, everyone can have their say.

The Guardian

If a capsule has no data to send, then it would not be assigned data slots.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, replace "sent then" with more precise phrasing like "sent at that time" or "sent afterward" to ensure your meaning is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "sent then" in formal writing. Although it may seem efficient, it often lacks clarity and can confuse readers. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sent then" functions as a temporal connector, attempting to link the action of sending with a subsequent point in time. However, Ludwig AI identifies this phrasing as grammatically incorrect, indicating it doesn't follow standard English grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sent then" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its primary function is to link an action of sending to a subsequent time, but it lacks the clarity and grammatical correctness needed for formal writing. For improved communication, consider replacing "sent then" with clearer alternatives like "sent at that time", "sent afterward", or "sent subsequently". These alternatives enhance precision and ensure your writing is grammatically sound. Although it occurs commonly in news and media, prioritizing clarity and precision is crucial for more professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sent at that time

Replaces "then" with a more explicit temporal marker, improving clarity.

sent afterward

Specifies that the sending occurred after a specific event.

sent subsequently

Emphasizes that the sending followed another action or event in sequence.

sent previously

Indicates that the action of sending happened before a certain point in time.

sent after which

Clarifies the temporal sequence, making the order of events explicit.

sent following that

Highlights the sequential nature of the events.

sent and then

Adds a conjunction to explicitly link the sending with a subsequent event.

was sent at the time

Reformulates the sentence to use a passive voice and provide a clearer temporal marker.

sent in that period

Replaces 'then' with a more formal temporal descriptor.

sent during that era

Uses 'era' to denote a time period, providing a sense of context.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "sent then" to improve clarity?

To make your writing clearer, replace "sent then" with phrases like "sent at that time" or "sent afterward". These alternatives explicitly show the sequence of events.

Is "sent then" grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "sent then" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It's better to use more precise phrases like "sent subsequently" or "sent previously" to avoid ambiguity.

What's a more formal alternative to "sent then"?

In formal contexts, use phrases such as "was sent at the time" or "sent after which" to maintain a professional tone and ensure clarity.

When is it acceptable to use "sent then"?

While generally discouraged, "sent then" might appear in informal conversations or less formal writing. However, for professional or academic work, it's best to use more explicit and grammatically correct alternatives to ensure your message is clear.