then what

USAGE SUMMARY

"then what" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to ask a further question related to a previous statement. For example: Joe: I visited the Grand Canyon last summer. Jane: Wow, that must have been amazing. Then what did you do?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then what happened?

The New York Times

Then what about this?

The New York Times

What then? what rests?

The New Yorker

So, then what?

The New York Times

Then what?" he said.

The New York Times

And then what happened?

The New York Times

Until then, what?

The New York Times - Books

Then what about China and India?

The New Yorker

And then what happens?

Forbes

So, then, what gives?

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Since then… what's new?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "then what" to encourage further explanation or detail in a conversation or narrative. It's most effective when you want to understand the complete picture or sequence of events.

Common error

While "then what" is acceptable in most contexts, avoid overusing it in formal writing. More sophisticated phrasing may be appropriate for academic or professional documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then what" primarily functions as an interrogative phrase, prompting further information or a continuation of a narrative or explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it seeks to understand the subsequent events or consequences. Examples show it used in direct questions following a statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Then what" is a versatile interrogative phrase widely used to solicit further information, especially regarding subsequent events or implications. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its neutral to informal register makes it suitable for many contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional writing. Predominantly featured in News & Media sources, "then what" serves to encourage elaboration and a more comprehensive understanding. Remember to employ it judiciously, considering the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what happens next?

Focuses specifically on the chronological sequence of events.

and after that?

A simpler, more direct way to ask about the immediate next action.

what's the next step?

Emphasizes the progression towards a goal or resolution.

what are the consequences?

Highlights the potential outcomes or repercussions of a situation.

where does that leave us?

Asks about the current state or position after a series of events or decisions.

what follows from that?

More formal and analytical, implying a logical deduction.

what's the upshot?

Asks for the final result or conclusion.

what's the implication?

Inquires about the underlying meaning or significance.

what's the bottom line?

Seeks the essential or most important point after a series of events.

so what?

Can imply indifference or challenge the importance of previous information, depending on context and intonation.

FAQs

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

You can use "then what" to inquire about the subsequent events or implications following a statement. For example, "I finished the project, "then what"?"

What is a more formal alternative to "then what"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "what follows?", "what are the implications?", or "what is the next step?" instead of "then what".

Is it correct to say "and then what" instead of "then what"?

Both "then what" and "and then what" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "And then what" might add a slight emphasis on the sequence of events.

What's the difference between "so what" and "then what"?

"Then what" seeks further information about a sequence of events, while "so what" challenges the importance or relevance of a statement. For example: "I lost my job." "Then what are you going to do?" versus "I lost my job." "So what? It wasn't a good one anyway."