then some of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "then some of them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a subset of a previously mentioned group in a narrative or explanation. Example: "We invited several friends to the party, and then some of them decided to bring their kids along."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Since then some of them had come before the courts.

The Guardian

Back then, some of them may have carried glitter sticks.

The Guardian

Then some of them stomped on Mr. Mbeki's face.

The New York Times

Then some of them became Holiness people and, at the beginning of the last century, Pentecostals.

The New Yorker

Then some of them piled into a van for a field trip to a nearby market.

The New York Times

Then some of them, eventually, go the way of the Paper Bag, too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Why, then, are some of them so wonderful and others so blah?

Los Angeles Times

It's odd, then, that some of them write so confidently and passionately about the kinds of learning we get from literature, and about the features of literature that make it a particularly apt teacher of moral psychology.

The New York Times

Then when some of them fall from grace, as Tony did so spectacularly, their brains don't recalibrate.

Vice

And then again, some of them should be.

The New York Times - Sports

Then again, some of them actually contribute, quietly and tastefully, to the overall Pinterest feeling.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "then some of them", ensure the context clearly establishes the group being referred to. Avoid ambiguity by making the reference explicit.

Common error

Avoid using "then some of them" when the temporal sequence is unclear or illogical. Ensure that the 'then' accurately reflects the order of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then some of them" primarily functions as an adverbial connector indicating a subsequent action by a subset of a previously mentioned group. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. It links events in time, showing that something happened, and then a specific portion of the group followed with another action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "then some of them" serves as a useful connector indicating a subsequent action by a subset of a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While its formality leans towards neutral, its meaning is clear: to show a sequence of events where a portion of a group participates in the latter action. When using it, ensure the context clearly establishes the group being referenced and logically connects the sequence of events. Consider alternatives like "subsequently a few of them" for formal contexts or when greater precision is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequently, a few of them

Replaces "then" with a more formal transition word and uses "a few" instead of "some".

next, a number of them

Uses "next" for a sequential action and "number" to indicate quantity.

later, a portion of them

Employs "later" as a more casual time indicator and "portion" to denote a part of the whole.

subsequently, a segment of them

Substitutes "then" with "subsequently" for formality and uses "segment" to denote a part.

afterward, a selection of them

Uses "afterward" for a different temporal marker and "selection" to emphasize choice.

following that, several of them

Offers a more descriptive temporal transition and uses "several" to specify quantity.

thereafter, certain ones among them

Replaces "then" with a more formal "thereafter" and uses "certain ones" to specify individuals.

in turn, certain of those individuals

Uses "in turn" to suggest sequence and rephrases "them" for clarity.

thereupon, a handful of them

Replaces "then" with the more archaic "thereupon" and uses "handful" to suggest a small quantity.

in due course, a contingent of them

Offers a more formal transition and uses "contingent" to specify a group.

FAQs

How can I use "then some of them" in a sentence?

Use "then some of them" to indicate that, after a certain point, a portion of a previously mentioned group did something. For example, "The students completed the assignment, then some of them presented their work".

What are some alternatives to "then some of them"?

Alternatives include "subsequently a few of them", "afterward a selection of them", or "later a portion of them" depending on the desired formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "and then some of them"?

While grammatically sound, starting a sentence with "And then some of them" may sound less formal. It's often better to integrate it into a larger sentence for better flow.

What's the difference between "then some of them" and "and some of them"?

"Then some of them" implies a sequence of events, while "and some of them" simply adds information about a portion of a group without emphasizing a specific order.