then needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "then needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was required or necessary at a specific point in time after a previous action or event. Example: "After reviewing the project, we realized that additional resources were then needed to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He then needed a job.

The Guardian

What is then needed is a mandatory emissions-trading system.

The Economist

Every last snowflake, then, needed to be removed.

The New York Times - Sports

A candidate then needed 185 electoral votes to win.

The New York Times

He then needed a new line of work.

The New York Times

The Rangers then needed seven games and two overtime victories to overcome the Washington Capitals.

The New York Times - Sports

More farmers then needed even more land, which further reduced the resources available to foragers.

The New Yorker

Stockpiling 20 percent-enriched uranium significantly shortens the time then needed to make crude nuclear weapons.

The New York Times

They skipped lunch when they then needed to catch up on work because of those meetings.

The New York Times - Magazine

New Orleans then needed only six plays to advance from its 26 to the Giants' 8.

The New York Times - Sports

He'd made it there, but then needed to be airlifted to the hospital!

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "then needed" to clearly indicate a sequence of events where a requirement arises as a direct result of a previous action or situation. For example, "The engine failed; repairs were then needed."

Common error

Avoid confusing "then", which indicates time, with "than", which is used for comparisons. For example, instead of writing "More power was then needed", ensure the context isn't meant to be "More power was than expected."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then needed" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a passive verb. It indicates that something was required or became necessary at a specific point in time, subsequent to a prior event or condition. As shown by Ludwig, it commonly links events in a chronological order.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "then needed" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that something became necessary after a specific event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most frequently encountered in news and scientific contexts, serving to connect events in a chronological and causal manner. While generally neutral in tone, understanding its function and potential alternatives like "subsequently required" can enhance clarity and precision in writing. Remembering to differentiate "then" from "than" will also prevent common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequently required

Replaces "then" with "subsequently", emphasizing the chronological sequence of events.

afterward necessary

Similar to "subsequently required", but uses "afterward" instead of "then" to denote time.

at that point required

Emphasizes a specific moment in time when something became a necessity.

became necessary at that time

More verbose, but clearly indicates the timing of the need.

was required thereafter

Uses "thereafter" to signify the time following a specific event.

consequently necessary

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship leading to the need.

henceforth required

Implies that the requirement is ongoing from that point forward.

from that moment on needed

Focuses on a specific moment as the starting point of the need.

thereupon necessary

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "immediately after, necessary".

following that, a need arose

Rephrases to focus on the emergence of a need after a specific event.

FAQs

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

Use "then needed" to show that something became necessary after a specific event or action. For instance, "After the storm, shelter was "then needed"."

What is a good alternative to "then needed"?

Alternatives include "subsequently required", "afterward necessary", or "at that point required". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "subsequently required" or "then needed"?

"Subsequently required" is generally considered more formal than "then needed". "Then needed" is suitable for most contexts, while "subsequently required" might be preferred in formal or business writing.

How does "then needed" differ from "now needed"?

"Then needed" refers to a past necessity, while "now needed" refers to a current necessity. For example, "Funds were "then needed" for repairs, but additional funds are "now needed" for expansion".