then stood up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "then stood up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of someone rising from a seated or lying position, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "After the long meeting, she felt energized and then stood up to address the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He then stood up and excused himself.

The New York Times

He rolled onto his hands and knees, then stood up.

The New Yorker

She then stood up with finality, whereupon he went out.

The New Yorker

He then stood up, and saluted once more.

The New Yorker

At the end, they fell down, then stood up and marched away.

The New Yorker

Galloway then stood up and replied: "I don't debate with Israelis, I've been misled, sorry".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

He sits down, then stands up again.

The Guardian - Music

They then stand up and 'ride' back.

The New York Times

How could the United States then stand up to the Russians?

The New York Times

He then stands up and walks away before checking his phone.

The Guardian

She gives me a suspicious look, then stands up and takes off her coat.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "then stood up" to clearly indicate a sequence of events where someone transitions from a seated, kneeling, or prone position to standing. It provides a simple and direct description of the action.

Common error

While "then stood up" is grammatically correct, overuse can make writing monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "rose to his feet" or describing the action more dynamically, such as "he pushed himself up from the chair".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then stood up" primarily functions as a narrative marker, indicating a sequential action within a story or description. Ludwig shows it is frequently used to describe someone rising from a seated or prone position.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "then stood up" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone rising to their feet. As Ludwig confirms, it's used across various contexts, especially in news and media, to indicate a sequence of actions in a narrative. While perfectly acceptable, varying your descriptions with alternative phrases can enhance your writing style and prevent monotony. Consider phrases like "rose to his feet" or "got to their feet" for a more descriptive approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

then got up

A simpler and more common way to describe the action of standing.

then got to their feet

Emphasizes the effort or process of rising to a standing position.

then rose to a standing position

More formal and emphasizes the act of rising.

subsequently stood

Indicates that the act of standing happened after something else.

following that, stood up

Highlights the sequential nature of the action.

at that moment, stood up

Emphasizes the specific timing of the action.

proceeded to stand

More descriptive emphasizing the continuation of actions.

then arose

A more literary or archaic way of saying someone stood up.

thereafter stood

A slightly more formal alternative indicating sequence.

thereupon he stood

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "then stood up".

FAQs

What does "then stood up" mean?

The phrase "then stood up" describes the action of rising to one's feet after having been in a seated, kneeling, or lying position. It implies a sequence of events where the standing action follows something else.

What are some alternatives to "then stood up"?

You can use alternatives like "then got up", "then rose", or "then arose" to convey a similar meaning depending on the context and desired level of formality.

How can I use "then stood up" in a sentence?

You can use "then stood up" to describe someone's action in a narrative. For example, "After the announcement, he paused, and then stood up to address the audience."

Is it ever incorrect to use "then stood up"?

The phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. However, overuse in writing can lead to monotony. Consider varying your descriptions with more descriptive phrases like "he pushed himself to his feet" or "she straightened up" to maintain reader engagement.