they were then

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were then" is a perfectly usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to a time or event in the past. For example, "We celebrated their wedding a few months ago; they were then the happiest couple I had ever seen."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were then assayed for calcium content and cell proliferation.

Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology

They were then debriefed.

Nature

They were then taken into custody.

The New York Times

They were then asked about their experience.

The Economist

They were then banked, taxed, and legitimised.

The Guardian - Business

They were then buried in mass graves.

The New York Times

They were then sent to Colditz.

The New York Times

Which they were then – by miles.

The Guardian - Sport

They were then driven back south.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They were then dried using air at 60 °C.

Ultrasonics Sonochemistry

They were then debriefed and paid £6.

Appetite

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they were then" when you intend to describe a current state. This phrase is specifically for past events and can confuse readers if used incorrectly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were then" functions as a temporal marker, indicating the state or action of a group at a specific point in the past, relative to another event. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in sequencing events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were then" serves as a temporal marker, indicating the state or action of a group at a specific point in the past, relative to another event. Ludwig indicates this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. With a common frequency, it appears in various contexts, notably science, news, and academic writing. While other phrases can substitute it, such as "subsequently they were" or "afterward they were", the key is maintaining clarity in the chronological sequence. Remember, "they were then" should only be used to describe past states and actions, avoiding confusion with present conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequently they were

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the sequence more directly.

afterward they were

Uses a different adverb to indicate a sequence of events.

following that, they were

Adds a transition to explicitly mark the sequence.

thereafter they were

Employs a more formal adverb to indicate time sequence.

at that point, they were

Highlights a specific moment in time.

in those days, they were

Frames the action within a specific historical period.

at the time, they were

Focuses on the circumstances surrounding the action.

they had been

Changes the tense to past perfect, slightly altering the emphasis.

previously, they were

Highlights something that took place before what is being discussed.

before that time, they were

More explicitly states the preceding nature of events.

FAQs

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

Use "they were then" to indicate what state a group of people or things were in at a specific point in the past, often in relation to a sequence of events. For instance, "After the initial shock, "they were then" able to formulate a plan".

What's the difference between "they were then" and "they are now"?

"They were then" refers to a past state or condition, while "they are now" describes the current state. The former is used to contrast a past situation with the present; the latter focuses on the current situation.

Which is correct, "they were then" or "than"?

"They were then" indicates a point in time. "Than" is used for comparisons. These terms are not interchangeable. For example, you would say ""they were then" students", not "they were than students".

What can I say instead of "they were then"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "subsequently they were", "afterward they were", or "at that point, they were" to express a similar sequence of events.