uh then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uh then" is not considered standard or formal in written English, but it can be used in informal contexts.
It is typically used in conversation to indicate hesitation or to transition to a new thought or idea. Example: "Uh then, I guess we should start planning for the event next month."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And, uh, then?

The New Yorker

When she said, "forerunner," the gentleman touched his ear, and uh, then the security guard came up to the middle of the register, two people went and stood by the door, people were standing around me, and I'm like "Dude, do think I'm gonna steal this Macbook?" And he's like, "Oh, no, no, no".

TechCrunch

MARSHALL: What?! BARRINGTON: I believe in the maxim that if you give a guy some fish, he'll have something to eat, but if you teach him to fish, uh, then he can always go fishing with his buddies.

Huffington Post

OK… so we drive up, up, up, and like through Malibu and the hills are all brown and we almost turn off in Topanga Canyon but, uh, then we don't… and there are all these little people down by the ocean and she keeps being like, "Should we stop here?" And I'm like, "We're gonna be driving past beach for the next nine hours, wait until we get to Big Sur".

Vice

In fact, participants had insight into the potential challenges that physicians may face in trying to assess readiness: I guess the [doctor] has to feel around for how much information do I want and then go about, uh, then she has to determine how it's to be presented to me.

BMJ Open

(Participant 15: male, age range 60 69 years old, cancer diagnosis) I guess the [doctor] has to feel around for how much information do I want and then go about, uh, then she has to determine how it's to be presented to me.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was Mr. Maluf, now once again a candidate for mayor, who plucked Mr. Pitta (pronounced PEET-uh), then his financial secretary, from obscurity four years ago and single-handedly engineered his election.

The New York Times

In November 1978, Mr. Kavaja (pronounced kah-VYE-uh), then a machinist living in Paterson, N.J., was among a handful of men arrested in connection with the bombing of the suburban Chicago home of a Yugoslav diplomat three years earlier; no one was hurt in the bombing.

The New York Times

Make a grunting noise ("uh-uh") then switch to singing a note with the word "mom".

WikiHow

As I get it, the of dribbles down to a schwa (uh) and then to nothing.

The New York Times

I'm a University of Houston graduate, and I spent nearly ten years teaching first at UH and then at UT-Austin.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In informal conversation, using "uh then" can signal a transition in thought, but consider using "so then" or "well then" for slightly more clarity.

Common error

Relying too much on "uh then" can make speech or writing seem uncertain. Vary your transitional phrases for smoother communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uh then" primarily functions as a transitional phrase, often used to signal a shift in thought or direction in informal speech. It combines a hesitation marker ("uh") with a connective adverb ("then"). Ludwig AI confirms its use in conversation to indicate hesitation or transition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uh then" is an informal transitional phrase used to signal a shift in thought, often accompanied by a moment of hesitation. Ludwig AI notes that while acceptable in casual conversation, it may not be appropriate for formal writing. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, reflecting spoken language. Alternatives like "so then" or "well then" can provide a more direct and confident transition. When writing, be mindful of overusing this phrase, as too many hesitations can detract from the clarity of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so then

Replaces the hesitation marker "uh" with a more direct transition word.

well then

Indicates a slightly more thoughtful or considered transition.

in that case

Suggests a logical consequence or condition based on a previous statement.

that being the case

A more formal way of expressing "in that case".

if so

A concise way of saying "if that is true".

therefore

Implies a direct logical conclusion.

accordingly

Similar to "therefore" but can also suggest acting in a fitting manner.

subsequently

Indicates that something happens after something else.

following that

A more descriptive way to indicate chronological order.

afterward

Simply means "at a later time".

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "uh then"?

The phrase "uh then" is best suited for informal speech or writing where a slight hesitation or transition is natural. It's generally not appropriate for formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "uh then" to sound more confident?

To project more confidence, replace "uh then" with phrases like "so then", "well then", or "in that case". These options offer clearer transitions.

Is "uh then" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "uh then" is considered informal and may not be appropriate in all writing contexts. Consider if a more formal transition is needed.

How does the meaning of "uh then" compare to "so then"?

"Uh then" indicates hesitation before a transition, while "so then" suggests a more direct consequence or logical step. The former is less assertive than the latter.