well then

USAGE SUMMARY

"well then" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate an acknowledgement of something that has been said, or to indicate agreement or acceptance of something. Example sentence: "I don't think there's anything else we can do. Well then, let's wrap up this meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well then.

The New York Times

"Well, then," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Very well then".

The New York Times

That'll work well then.

The Guardian

"Well, then," Mandy said.

The New Yorker

"Well then get up.

The New Yorker

Well, then suspend disbelief.

The New Yorker

Well, then, welcome back.

The New York Times

"Well, then he's finished.

The New Yorker

Very well, then, let's parse.

The New Yorker

Well then, what about Iraq?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well then" to smoothly transition between thoughts or to acknowledge a preceding statement before responding. For example: "You've decided to proceed. Well then, let's get started."

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "well then" in formal documents, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and less professional. Consider using alternatives such as "therefore", "in that case", or restructuring your sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well then" functions as a discourse marker, signaling a transition, conclusion, or acceptance following a preceding statement. It sets the stage for what comes next, indicating a shift in thought or action. Ludwig AI affirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "well then" is a versatile discourse marker used to signal a transition, acceptance, or conclusion. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability, its informal tone may not be suitable for all contexts. As shown in the examples, it commonly appears in news, media, and academic sources. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "in that case" or "therefore" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in that case

This alternative explicitly indicates a condition that leads to a specific outcome or action.

right then

This alternative has similar meaning but it's more informal and suitable for spoken English.

okay then

This alternative conveys acceptance but can also suggest a slight reservation or impatience.

so

This alternative provides a shorter, more direct way to indicate a conclusion or transition.

very well

This alternative is more formal, expressing agreement or acceptance.

therefore

This alternative introduces a logical consequence of the previous statement, implying a more formal tone.

accordingly

This alternative indicates that the following action is in agreement or conformity with what has been stated.

that being the case

This alternative provides a more formal and elaborate way of acknowledging the situation before moving forward.

if that's the situation

This alternative is more cautious, explicitly acknowledging the conditions.

under the circumstances

This alternative is more formal and suggests that specific conditions are influencing the subsequent action.

FAQs

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

"Well then" is used to express a conclusion, acceptance, or transition after something has been said or decided. For example: "If you're ready to leave, well then, let's go".

What can I say instead of "well then"?

You can use alternatives like "in that case", "so", or "therefore" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "well then" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "well then" can sound informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "accordingly" or "that being the case".

What's the difference between "well then" and "very well"?

"Very well" indicates agreement or compliance in a more formal way, whereas "well then" is a more general expression of acknowledgment or transition. "Very well" often implies a degree of formality or acceptance of authority.