which was then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which was then" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happened in the past, after or before something else. For example: "She had a difficult childhood, which was then followed by a successful career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

American folk art, which was then not even considered art.

The New York Times - Arts

AMY DAVIDSON: Or a handkerchief, which was then dropped.

The New Yorker

The French army, which was then in the 1690s 180,000 people.

Yale University

The meeting took place on O'Connell Street which was then Sackville Street.

Stanford University

Fu focused on applications related to genome editing system Crispr-Cas9, which was then relatively novel.

Stanford University

Coded targets were set up throughout the site, which was then photographed in two phases.

Journal of Archaeological Science

The questionnaire was based on Likert Scale which was then analyzed through SPSS.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

This strain converted l-tyrosine into caffeic acid, which was then converted into protocatechualdehyde.

Enzyme and Microbial Technology

The highest dynamic binding capacity was obtained for the monolith, which was then further investigated.

Journal of Chromatography B

Three- to four-year-olds were shown a target item which was then hidden.

Cognition

The EPA, which was then led by a George Bush appointee, did not object.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which was then" to clearly establish a chronological sequence when describing past events or states. This helps to avoid ambiguity and provides context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "which was then" when referring to current or future events. This phrase is specifically for describing past situations or conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was then" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information or context about a noun in the main clause. It specifies the state or condition of something at a particular point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

30%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which was then" is a versatile relative clause used to provide historical context or specify a past state or condition. As Ludwig AI validates, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific writing, the phrase helps establish a clear chronological sequence and avoid ambiguity. When writing, remember to use it exclusively for past situations and consider alternatives like "that later became" or "which used to be" depending on the nuances you want to convey. This phrase’s frequent occurrence and authoritative source backing make it a reliable choice for clarifying past circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that subsequently became

Focuses on the direct consequence and transformation of something.

that later turned into

Highlights the eventual change or evolution of a subject.

that at the time was

Emphasizes the context and circumstances existing during a specific period.

which at that point in time was

Adds emphasis on the specific moment or juncture being referred to.

which formerly had been

Highlights the previous state or condition before the change.

which used to be

Indicates a past state that is no longer current.

that eventually developed into

Emphasizes the gradual process of change and growth.

that earlier was known as

Specific to changes in names or titles, stressing the initial designation.

that previously existed as

Highlights the prior existence and form of something before its transformation.

which in those days was

Emphasizes a specific era or period, focusing on the conditions present then.

FAQs

How can I use "which was then" in a sentence?

Use "which was then" to provide context about a past state or condition. For example, "He visited Ghana, "which was then" the British colony of Gold Coast."

What are some alternatives to "which was then"?

Depending on the context, you could use "that later became", "that subsequently became", or "which used to be".

Is it correct to use "which is then" instead of "which was then"?

No, "which is then" implies a future or conditional state, while ""which was then"" refers to a past state. Using "which is then" is grammatically incorrect when referring to past events.

What's the difference between "which was then" and "which was later"?

"Which was then" emphasizes the state of something at a specific time in the past, while "which was later" focuses on a subsequent change or development. The first describes a past condition; the second, a future result.