she then asked

USAGE SUMMARY

'she then asked' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to indicate that something occurred immediately after another action. For example, "She finished her sandwich, she then asked if anyone else wanted one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Is that true?" she then asked.

The New York Times

She then asked wh t he charged.

The New Yorker

She then asked her gobsmacked audience for better ones.

The New York Times

She then asked him to repeat the answer.

The New York Times

She then asked me if I knew Ted Nugent.

The New York Times

But she then asked me if I wanted a massage.

The New York Times

Satisfied, she then asked if she could wash her hands.

The New York Times - Food

She then asked her where she had bought it.

The New York Times

She then asked him if he minded her smoking.

The New York Times

She then asked that her no comment not be included.

The New York Times

She then asked him for his business card.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she then asked" to clearly indicate a chronological sequence of actions in narrative writing. This helps the reader understand the order in which events occurred and maintains a smooth flow.

Common error

Be careful when using other adverbs before "asked" as this can create ambiguity. Ensure that the adverb clearly modifies "asked" and not another part of the sentence. For example, instead of "She quickly then asked...", it's often clearer to say, "She then quickly asked..." or "Then, she quickly asked...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she then asked" functions as a narrative connector, indicating a sequence of actions where a question follows a prior event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English, clearly establishing chronology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she then asked" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a sequence of events in a narrative. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to progress a story by introducing a question following a previous action. While versatile, ensuring clear adverb placement avoids ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "she proceeded to ask" or "subsequently she inquired" can add variety or formality as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she went on to ask

Similar to "proceeded to ask", but with a slightly less formal tone.

she proceeded to ask

Uses "proceeded" to emphasize the continuation of actions, with a focus on the asking.

afterward, she questioned

Replaces "then asked" with "questioned" and uses "afterward" to indicate the sequence.

she followed up by asking

Highlights that the question is a direct response or continuation of a previous interaction.

subsequently she inquired

Uses "inquired" for a more formal tone and replaces "then asked" with "subsequently".

she put forth the question

Emphasizes the act of presenting or posing a question formally.

following this, she queried

Uses "queried", a more formal synonym for "asked", and "following this" to show the order of events.

next, she wanted to know

Expresses the act of asking in terms of wanting information, using "next" to indicate sequence.

thereafter, she investigated

This replaces "asked" with "investigated" implying a more formal or thorough questioning process and replacing "then" with "thereafter".

thereupon, she demanded

Implies a more assertive question and replaces "then asked" with "demanded", using "thereupon" for sequence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "she then asked" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "subsequently she inquired" or "thereafter she investigated" to elevate the tone of your writing.

What are some alternatives to "she then asked" that still emphasize the sequence of events?

Phrases like "she proceeded to ask", "she went on to ask", or "she followed up by asking" clearly indicate that the question was posed after a previous action or statement.

Is there a difference between "she then asked" and "she asked then"?

Yes, "she then asked" is the more common and natural word order. "She asked then" is grammatically correct, but less frequently used and can sometimes sound awkward. Sticking with "she then asked" ensures clarity and fluency.

How does "she then asked" differ from "she also asked"?

"She then asked" indicates a chronological sequence, suggesting the question came after something else. "She also asked" implies that the question is additional or supplementary to a previous question or statement, without necessarily indicating a strict order. You can use alternatives like "she eventually asked".