Then

Then as an adverb has a number of different meanings.

We can use then to mean ‘at that time’, referring either to the past or the future. In this case, it is usually at the end of the clause:

A:
When I was a child, I lived in Austria for a while.

B:
What age were youthen?

This time next week, I’ll be on a plane to Kiev. Where will you be then?

We can use then to mean ‘next’:

He opened the door, then the lights came on and everybody shouted, ‘Happy Birthday’.

Heat some olive oil in a pan, then add some chopped garlic and some salt.

Spoken English:

Especially in speaking, we can use then to mean ‘in addition’:

Hiring a car is an extra expense on holiday and then there’s the cost of insurance.

Here’s our bedroom and then we have two more bedrooms down here.

We use then with if to talk about cause and effect:

If we buy Jason a present, then we’ll have to buy one for Isaac too.

If you are interested in food, then you will love this book.

Spoken English:

In informal speaking, we often use then at the end of the clause meaning ‘in that case’:

You don’t want anything to eat? Okay. So I’ll just get you a coffee then.

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