who then

USAGE SUMMARY

"who then" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a person who has done something just before the sentence in question. For example: "He sold his house, who then decided to move to the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But who then?

The Economist

Who then gets pregnant.

The New York Times

Who, then, does Fox trust?

The New York Times - Books

Who, then, is the underdog?

The New York Times - Sports

Who, then, is OTTO's brother?

The New Yorker

Who, then, is the narrator?

The New York Times - Books

"Who then committed those crimes?

Independent

Who, then, should business look out for?

Independent

Who, then, are the real victors here?

The New Yorker

Who, then, argued against the ban?

The Guardian - Opinion

Who, then, should control the system?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "who then" to logically follow a statement or question, indicating that you are seeking to identify the next actor or understand the subsequent action in a sequence of events. For example, "The CEO resigned; who then will lead the company?"

Common error

Avoid using "who then" when you are not referring to a sequence of events or actions. For instance, do not use "who then" if you simply want to ask 'who is that?' without any prior context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who then" functions as an interrogative expression, used to inquire about the identity of the person or entity that follows in a sequence or logical progression. Ludwig's examples show its usage in various questioning scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "who then" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to inquire about the next person or entity in a sequence of events. According to Ludwig, its primary function is interrogative, seeking clarification on subsequent actors or actions. It is suitable for both neutral and formal contexts, commonly appearing in news, academic discussions, and general inquiries. While alternatives such as "who subsequently" or "who next" exist, "who then" remains a versatile and standard choice for expressing this specific type of inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

then who

A variation in word order that maintains the basic meaning and interrogative function.

who subsequently

This alternative explicitly indicates a temporal sequence, similar to "who then", but with a slightly more formal tone.

who next

This suggests a progression or order, maintaining the interrogative nature of the original phrase.

who afterwards

This phrase retains the sense of temporal succession, focusing on what happens after a specific event or action.

who later

Similar to "who afterwards", it emphasizes the element of time passing between events and actions.

who consequently

This implies a cause-and-effect relationship, adding a layer of consequence not explicitly present in "who then".

who therefore

Expresses a logical conclusion based on the preceding information, introducing an element of reasoning.

who thereby

This indicates that someone achieves something as a direct result of an action, implying a cause-and-effect relationship.

who in turn

Implies a chain of actions or events, where one person's action influences another.

so who

This is a shorter, more informal way of expressing a similar question, often used to challenge or dismiss a previous statement.

FAQs

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

"Who then" is used to inquire about the next person or entity involved in a sequence of events or a logical progression. For example, "The director stepped down; "who then" will take over the project?"

What are some alternatives to using "who then"?

Alternatives to "who then" include phrases like "who subsequently", "who next", or "who afterwards", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "who then" or "then who"?

Both "who then" and "then who" are grammatically acceptable and convey essentially the same meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although ""who then"" is more commonly used.

In what contexts is "who then" most appropriate?

"Who then" is suitable in contexts where you are following up on a prior action or statement to inquire about the next actor or step in a sequence. It's common in news reporting, academic discussions, and general inquiries about processes or events.