whereas then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whereas then" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you are contrasting two different time periods or situations, but it is generally better to use clearer alternatives. Example: "The project was successful in the past, whereas then, it faced numerous challenges."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Whereas then I found I could if I wrote fiction.

The Guardian - Books

Whereas then 60 people could win any tournament, now it is 100.

The Guardian - Sport

And whereas then David Platt had brought England success with a volley in the last minute of extra-time this time he gave them the lead with a header midway through the first half.

The Guardian - Sport

I placed my hands on my knees and gazed at them — the nails on my fingers are glossy now, whereas then they were blue — and what I remember most after Mark left was Henrietta leaning over me.

The New Yorker

It's incredibly difficult to get published now; you have to burst on the scene with a kind of major statement piece of fiction, whereas then a publisher could take a very modest punt on you".

The Guardian - Books

Whereas then it was loving your fellow man and uniting in a shared dream of a greater good, getting naked and slashing brain cells in half, this sense of "togetherness" doesn't exist today at events like the Virgin Festival, Bonnaroo or Coachella.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Whereas resistance then stabilized in CD1 mice, resistance continued to decrease by 38% to E17.5 in B6 mice (Table 3).

American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology

Nowadays the courts make mistakes, serious ones, but mistakes nevertheless, whereas back then outright murder was committed, for purely political ends.

The New York Times

His ability to adapt remains but, whereas back then he was an ambitious young man, now he stands on the verge of greatness.

The Guardian - Sport

Today, "children are looked at as gifts to the parents, whereas back then the parents were looked at as the gift to the child," said Dottie Enrico, a 41-year-old New York journalist and adopted Korean who grew up in Indiana.

The New York Times

The annual growth of 3.3% is the slowest since September 2013 – but whereas back then the trajectory was upward, now it is decidedly downwards heading: And while the RBA might be seeing things with a shade of rose colour, they are still hedging their bets.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whereas then", ensure a clear contrast between two distinct time periods or conditions is evident in your sentence. It's best suited for formal contexts where a comparative observation is being made.

Common error

Avoid using "whereas then" when a simple contrast can be expressed more directly with "but" or "while". The phrase is most effective when emphasizing a temporal shift alongside the contrast.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whereas then" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, connecting two clauses to highlight a contrast between past and present circumstances. Ludwig's examples showcase its role in drawing comparisons across different time periods.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whereas then" is a conjunctive phrase used to contrast past situations with present ones, often found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically acceptable but can sound somewhat formal. For simpler comparisons, alternatives like "while at that time" or "in contrast to that time" might be more appropriate. When using "whereas then", ensure a clear contrast and temporal shift are evident to effectively convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while at that time

Replaces "whereas then" with a focus on contrasting situations during a specific point in the past.

in contrast to that time

Highlights the contrast between the current situation and a past period, similar to "whereas then".

but at the time

Focuses on a contrast with a specific time, offering a slightly less formal tone than "whereas then".

in comparison to what happened then

Emphasizes a comparison to past events, providing a more explicit contrast than "whereas then".

as opposed to back then

Uses "as opposed to" to create a stronger contrast to a past state.

unlike the situation at that point

Provides a formal alternative stressing the difference from a particular past condition.

differing from how it was then

Highlights the divergence from a previous state, offering a more descriptive phrasing.

in contrast with the past

Generalizes the contrast to a broader historical period instead of a specific moment.

contrary to the state of affairs then

Emphasizes the opposition to a previous condition, using more formal language.

different from what existed then

Focuses on the change from a previous existence or state.

FAQs

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

"Whereas then" is used to contrast a past situation with a current one. For example, "The company struggled with low sales, whereas then, it is now thriving with increased market share."

What's a simpler alternative to "whereas then"?

Alternatives to "whereas then" include "while at that time", "in contrast to that time", or "but at the time". These options offer a more straightforward way to express the same comparison.

Is "whereas then" always the best choice for contrasting past and present?

Not necessarily. "Whereas then" can sometimes sound formal or stilted. Consider whether a simpler conjunction like "but" or "while" would be more appropriate, depending on the tone and context.

What is the difference between "whereas then" and "whereas now"?

"Whereas then" specifically refers to a contrast with a past situation, emphasizing the temporal aspect. "Whereas now" contrasts the present situation with some unspecified prior state. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the change over time explicitly.