Difference between revisions of "Then"

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(Created page with "==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 "pu...")
 
(Logical entailment)
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''if'' and ''then'' are only really used ''together'' in formal contexts (math, programming).  Most often it's the result of an inference:
 
''if'' and ''then'' are only really used ''together'' in formal contexts (math, programming).  Most often it's the result of an inference:
  
<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Husband</span>:  I'm not feeling well, I'm going to stay home today.
+
:<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Husband</span>:  I'm not feeling well, I'm going to stay home today.
<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Wife</span>:  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.  
+
:<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Wife</span>:  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.  
<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Husband</span>:  I have an appointment with the doctor this afternoon, but I can take yours if you'd like.
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:<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Husband</span>:  I have an appointment with the doctor this afternoon, but I can take yours if you'd like.
<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Wife</span>:  I'll be back for lunch, and I'll take mine in the afternoon.  
+
:<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Wife</span>:  I'll be back for lunch, and I'll take mine in the afternoon.  
<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Husband</span>:  Ah, ok then, no problem.
+
:<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Husband</span>:  Ah, ok then, no problem.

Revision as of 20:29, 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 by walking across 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 "when": at what time?

Logical entailment

Entailment is more or less a synonym for consequence.

  • Si X, alors Y.
  • If X, then Y.

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.