then because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "then because" is a correct and usable construction in written English.
It can be used to introduce a reason or justification for something mentioned before it. For example: "I wanted to take the bus, then because it was raining I decided to take an Uber instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It must have been then, because we haven't really had time for that before or since".

The New Yorker

"What then?" "Because you're not a writer.

The New York Times - Books

And then because they're independent, this product can go out.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Student: Well then because I would be eaten as well.

Yale University

Banking was boring then because the economy was boring.

The New Yorker

We've gotten really close since then because of that.

The New York Times

Attrition rates shrank then because staff were afraid to leave.

The Economist

Death terrified me then, because I had so many engagements.

The New Yorker

"I could stand it all, then, because I was young.

The New York Times - Magazine

But I won't break then, because I just ate.

Harvard Business Review

Then, because of greed, she let it all slip away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "then because" to clearly indicate a temporal sequence immediately followed by a causal explanation. For example: "The system crashed, then because of the overload, it had to be restarted."

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "then because" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "subsequently, as a result" or rephrasing to avoid the construction altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then because" functions as an adverbial connector indicating both a temporal sequence and a causal relationship. As confirmed by Ludwig, it introduces a reason that immediately follows a prior event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "then because" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction to link a temporal sequence with a causal explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially news and academic writing. While effective, it's advisable to avoid overuse and diversify your sentence structure. This phrase serves as a connector to add detail and explain cause/effect relationships that can clarify the meaning and intent of your writing. Remember to correctly structure the sentence to maximize clarity and avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thereafter, because of that

A more formal and somewhat redundant expression of cause and effect.

due to what happened subsequently

Highlights the reason stemming from events that unfolded afterward.

at that point, as a consequence

Highlights a specific moment leading to a particular result.

afterward since

Connects a sequence in time with a cause.

consequently after that

Combines temporal sequence with causation; less direct than "then because".

in light of what followed

Emphasizes consideration of subsequent events as the basis for the reason.

later considering that

Combines a sense of delayed timing with a causal link.

as a result of that time

More formal and emphasizes the outcome following a specific point in time.

subsequent to that, given that

More formal and separates the timeline from the cause.

following that, for the reason that

Splits the temporal and causal elements into separate clauses.

FAQs

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

Use "then because" to connect a sequence of events with its cause. For instance, "The stock market crashed, then because of widespread panic, investors began selling off their assets."

What are some alternatives to "then because"?

Consider alternatives like "subsequently because", "thereafter because", or "as a result of that" to diversify your writing.

Is it grammatically correct to use "then because"?

Yes, "then because" is grammatically correct when used to introduce a cause following a temporal sequence, as supported by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "then because" and "since"?

"Then because" implies a sequence of events where one immediately follows and causes the other, whereas "since" simply indicates a reason or cause without necessarily implying a temporal sequence. For instance, you can say "since it was raining" even if the rain didn't immediately follow another event.