then they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "then they" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a sequence of actions or events that follow one another. Example: "First, we gathered all the materials; then they started the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then they fired.

The New York Times

Then they jump.

The New York Times - Science

Then, they changed course.

The New York Times

Then they switch.

The New Yorker

And then they teemed.

The New Yorker

Then they drive again.

The New York Times

Then they married.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then they both laugh.

Independent

Then they discover carp".

The New York Times - Sports

Then they, too, laughed.

The New Yorker

Then they prayed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether a more specific temporal marker (e.g. "afterward", "subsequently") might provide greater clarity or formality, depending on your audience and purpose.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "then they" in simple narratives, which can make the writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary sentence structure and use different transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then they" functions as an adverbial connector indicating temporal sequence. It connects two clauses or sentences, showing that the action in the second clause follows the action in the first. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "then they" serves as a useful tool for expressing sequential actions or events, primarily within a narrative or descriptive context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its wide usage in journalism, news reporting and other formal contents. While its register is generally neutral, it's advisable to use alternative phrases like "after that, they" or "subsequently, they" for contexts requiring greater formality or variation in sentence structure. As Ludwig's examples show, varying sentence structure is important to avoid monotony.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after that, they

Replaces "then" with "after that", emphasizing the temporal sequence more explicitly.

next, they

A simpler and more direct alternative to indicate the next action.

afterward, they

Similar to "after that", but slightly more concise.

subsequently, they

Uses a more formal term, "subsequently", to indicate the following action.

following that, they

Adds a more descriptive phrase to highlight the sequence.

thereafter, they

A formal substitute for "then", suitable for academic or legal writing.

at that point, they

Emphasizes a specific moment in time when the action occurred.

upon completion, they

Highlights that the second action occurs after the first is finished.

once that was done, they

Specifies the completion of a prior action before the subsequent one.

in turn, they

Implies a reciprocal action or a series of events where actions follow each other.

FAQs

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

"Then they" is used to indicate a sequence of actions or events. For example, "First, we gathered the materials; "then they" started the project".

What can I say instead of "then they"?

You can use alternatives like "after that, they", "subsequently, they", or "afterward, they" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "then they" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "then they" when you want to clearly show that one action follows another in a sequence. It is best suited for situations where the order of events is important for understanding the narrative or process.

What's the difference between "then they" and "after they"?

"Then they" directly connects two actions sequentially, while "after they" introduces a dependent clause, specifying that the second action occurred following the first. "Then they left" implies a straightforward sequence, whereas "after they left" requires an additional clause to complete the sentence.