then although

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "then although" is not correct and does not work well in written English.
It is typically used when introducing a contrast or exception, but the combination is awkward and lacks clarity. Example: "I wanted to go for a walk, then although it was raining, I stayed inside."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Back then, although lesser efforts would have been tolerated, the place served decent food.

The New York Times

Wilpon backed Valentine then, although he did not extend Valentine's contract, which expires after this season.

The New York Times - Sports

By then, although the floodlights were on, the light was closing in rapidly.

The Guardian - Sport

Ganso's (relative) decline then, although worrying, need hardly be seen as terminal.

The Guardian - Sport

Since then, although a handful of Rams players have developed staph, none have been MRSA.

The New York Times

My father, John, was still alive then, although he was in his desolating last stages.

The Guardian

No planes have been chartered since then, although the police have submitted eight contracts for review.

The New York Times

We were very happy right then, although I don't know exactly why.

The New Yorker

McDonald's has continued to increase sales solidly since then, although growth has recently tapered off slightly.

The New York Times

There are plenty of copies, then, although almost all of them are locked away in institutions.

The Guardian

He hasn't lost his sense of humour then, although it must be difficult at times.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "then although" in formal writing; opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives such as "however", "nevertheless", or "even though".

Common error

Avoid directly combining temporal adverbs like "then" with contrast conjunctions like "although". This often leads to awkward phrasing. Instead, separate the temporal sequence from the contrasting element for improved clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then although" attempts to function as a conjunction, linking two clauses with a sense of temporal sequence followed by a contrast. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is grammatically incorrect. It lacks clarity and is not recommended for use in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "then although" appears frequently across various sources, including news outlets and online publications, it's essential to recognize that it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI flags this phrase as non-ideal. When aiming for clarity and correctness, particularly in formal writing, opting for more conventional alternatives such as "however", "nevertheless", or "even though" is strongly advised. Being mindful of these nuances significantly enhances the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however

Replaces the entire phrase for more concise and fluent English.

nevertheless

Offers a stronger contrast than "however", suitable for more formal contexts.

nonetheless

Similar to "nevertheless" but slightly less formal, still providing strong contrast.

subsequently even though

Replaces "then" with "subsequently" for a clearer temporal sequence while maintaining the contrast with "even though".

later even though

Uses "later" instead of "then" for temporal clarity, paired with "even though" to show contrast.

even so

Presents a condition that does not alter the primary action, concise and clear.

despite that

Emphasizes a condition that exists concurrently with the primary action, maintaining contrast.

thereafter even though

Substitutes "then" with "thereafter" to specify a time sequence, still contrasting with "even though".

yet even though

Replaces "then" with "yet" offering a direct contrast with "even though" for emphasis.

in spite of that

Functions similarly to "despite that", stressing the resilience of the primary action against a condition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "then although"?

Replace "then although" with a single conjunction like "however", "nevertheless", or "even though", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is "then although" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "then although" is generally considered grammatically "incorrect" in standard English. It's better to use more precise conjunctions or phrases.

What is the difference between "then although" and "but"?

"But" is a simple coordinating conjunction used to introduce a contrast. "Then although" attempts to combine a temporal element with a contrast, but is grammatically awkward. Using "but" directly provides a clearer contrast.

When is it appropriate to use "then although"?

It's generally not appropriate to use "then although" in formal or academic writing. In most cases, alternative conjunctions like "however" or "even though" will result in clearer and more grammatically sound sentences.