Difference between revisions of "Then"
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"Then" is frequently used to indicate what happened, happens, or will happen next when telling a story. It is very similar to "alors" (at that time) and to "puis". It is also a very good substitute for the ungrammatical "After, ...". | "Then" is frequently used to indicate what happened, happens, or will happen next when telling a story. It is very similar to "alors" (at that time) and to "puis". It is also a very good substitute for the ungrammatical "After, ...". | ||
| − | *She started with some small talk, but then she got down to business pretty quickly. The meeting was over in an hour. :) | + | *She started with some small talk, but ''then'' she got down to business pretty quickly. The meeting was over in an hour. :) |
==at <u>th</u>at time== | ==at <u>th</u>at time== | ||
| − | *We didn't realize how dangerous it was to cross the river | + | *We didn't realize how dangerous it was to cross the river via the train bridge back ''then''. We could have been squashed! |
*You should turn off the electricity first; ''then'' you can work without worrying about electrocuting yourself. | *You should turn off the electricity first; ''then'' you can work without worrying about electrocuting yourself. | ||
| − | Compare to "when": at <u>wh</u>at time? | + | Compare to "now". |
| + | *Now you can find almost any song online somewhere; back then you had to buy a copy of the record to listen to a song over and over again. | ||
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| + | now and then: ''de temps à autre'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | "when": at <u>wh</u>at time? | ||
| + | *We didn't realize how dangerous it was when we used to take the train bridge to cross the river. | ||
==Logical entailment== | ==Logical entailment== | ||
Latest revision as of 21:44, 9 September 2020
Narration
"Then" is frequently used to indicate what happened, happens, or will happen next when telling a story. It is very similar to "alors" (at that time) and to "puis". It is also a very good substitute for the ungrammatical "After, ...".
- She started with some small talk, but then she got down to business pretty quickly. The meeting was over in an hour. :)
at that time
- We didn't realize how dangerous it was to cross the river via the train bridge back then. We could have been squashed!
- You should turn off the electricity first; then you can work without worrying about electrocuting yourself.
Compare to "now".
- Now you can find almost any song online somewhere; back then you had to buy a copy of the record to listen to a song over and over again.
now and then: de temps à autre
"when": at what time?
- We didn't realize how dangerous it was when we used to take the train bridge to cross the river.
Logical entailment
Entailment is more or less a synonym for consequence.
- Si X est vrai, alors Y est vrai
- If X is true, then Y is true.
if and then are only really used together in formal contexts (math, programming). Most often it's the result of an inference:
- Husband: I'm not feeling well, I'm going to stay home today.
- Wife: Aha! You don't need your car, then? Do you mind if I take it? Mine is making weird noises and I need to bring a bunch of things into the office.
- Husband: I have an appointment with the doctor this afternoon, but I can take yours if you'd like.
- Wife: I'll be back for lunch, and I'll take mine in the afternoon.
- Husband: Ah, ok then, no problem.
