Here are some synonyms for "then" along with their detailed explanations:
1. Next
- Meaning: "Next" implies a sequence or order of events. It indicates that something is going to happen or be done immediately after another thing. For example, "First, we will go shopping. Next, we'll have lunch." Here, "next" shows the step that comes right after the first activity of shopping. It's very similar to "then" in the context of a chronological order of actions or events. The main difference is that "next" might feel a bit more straightforward and focused on the immediate subsequent step, while "then" can sometimes have a broader sense of what follows in a general way.
2. Afterward
- Meaning: "Afterward" means following in time or sequence. It refers to what happens after a particular event or action. For example, "We watched a movie. Afterward, we talked about it." It emphasizes the time that passes after the initial activity (watching the movie) and what occurs subsequently. Like "then", it indicates a connection between events in terms of their order. However, "afterward" can sometimes give a sense of a bit more time having passed between the two events compared to "next", which often implies a more immediate succession.
3. Subsequently
- Meaning: "Subsequently" also means following in time or sequence. It is a bit more formal way of expressing that something comes after another thing. For example, "He made a mistake. Subsequently, he tried to correct it." It shows the order of events and that the second action (trying to correct the mistake) comes after the first one. Similar to "then" and the other synonyms, it helps to establish a logical progression of events. But "subsequently" is often used in more formal writing or speech to convey a sense of a proper sequence being followed.
4. Thereafter
- Meaning: "Thereafter" means from that time onward or after that particular event. For example, "She graduated from college. Thereafter, she started looking for a job." It indicates what happens after the specific event of graduating. It's similar to "afterward" and "subsequently" in that it shows the order of events, but it has a more definitive sense of starting from the moment after the initial event and continuing on. "Thereafter" is also more commonly used in formal contexts.
5. Consequently
- Meaning: "Consequently" means as a result or because of something. While it doesn't have the exact same meaning as "then" in terms of pure sequence, it can be used in a way that implies a connection between events where one thing leads to another. For example, "He missed the train. Consequently, he was late for the meeting." Here, the missing of the train (the cause) leads to being late for the meeting (the effect). In some cases, when we want to show that something follows logically from another thing, we can use "consequently" instead of "then", especially if we want to emphasize the cause-and-effect relationship between the events.