were then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were then" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in a sentence to indicate that something happened in the past, before another event occurred. Example: The students were then instructed to complete the assignment.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both were then teenagers.

The Washington Post

They were then debriefed.

Nature

Colonies were then photographed.

Nature

The demurrers were then overruled.

Cornell University

These were then manually corrected.

University of California, Berkeley

(How lean players were then).

The New York Times - Sports

The samples were then combined.

The New York Times

Great artworks were then undertaken.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Comparisons were then made.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

The parents were then detained.

The New York Times

The rats were then decapitated.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were then" to clearly indicate a sequence of events in the past, ensuring the temporal relationship between actions is evident to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "were then" when simply describing a state of being in the past without implying a specific order of events. Use alternative phrasing like "were at that time" or "were in those days" if sequencing is not the intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were then" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, indicating a temporal sequence. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its role in establishing a chronological relationship between events, often following a prior action or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

35%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were then" is a grammatically sound and common adverbial phrase used to indicate a clear sequence of events in the past. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's particularly useful in academic, scientific, and news contexts where establishing a precise timeline is crucial. While highly versatile, careful consideration should be given to avoid redundancy and to ensure its application aligns with the intended emphasis on sequential relationships. Alternatives like "were subsequently" or "were afterward" can provide nuanced options for conveying the same temporal connection. The phrase’s prevalence in authoritative sources like Nature, The New York Times, and BBC underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were subsequently

Indicates a slightly more formal or definitive sequence of events.

were afterward

Implies a temporal sequence, focusing on the time that passed.

were later

A more general term indicating something happened at a later point.

were consequently

Highlights the result or effect of a previous action.

were therefore

Indicates a logical conclusion or deduction.

were next

Emphasizes the order in a series of actions or events.

were thus

A more formal way of saying 'in this way' or 'as a result'.

were at that point

Specifies a particular moment when something occurred.

were at that time

Similar to "were at that point", but emphasizes the period rather than a specific moment.

were in turn

Highlights a reciprocal or sequential relationship.

FAQs

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

Use "were then" to indicate that something was true or happened at a specific point in the past, following a previous action or state. For example, "The samples were prepared, they "were then" analyzed."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "were then"?

Similar phrases include "were subsequently", "were afterward", or "were later". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the sequence of events.

Is it redundant to use "were then" after already establishing a timeline?

While it's not always redundant, ensure that using "were then" adds clarity or emphasis to the sequence. If the timeline is already clear, consider whether it's the most concise way to express the relationship.

What is the difference between "were then" and "were at that time"?

"Were then" emphasizes the sequence of events, implying a direct connection to a preceding action. "Were at that time" simply indicates a state of being during a specific period, without necessarily implying a sequence. You may also consider alternatives such as "were at that point".