Sentence examples for then says from inspiring English sources

The phrase "then says" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used in reported speech or when describing a sequence of events in a narrative. Here is an example: "John looked at the clock and saw that it was already 9 PM. He then says, 'I think it's time for us to go home now.'" In this sentence, "then says" indicates that the action of speaking follows the action of looking at the clock.