In IWC, use of “than” and “therefore” is incorrect.
Is then used in the same way as: “I can’t
come to Bristol in the afternoon sorry.” “I
can’t do it, I’m sorry.” “I love you, man… I’ll do it then!” “Well, I’ll do it, then!” Am
I using a phrase like this when I speak, but I am not sure if it is correct to say it or not?
“Then” introduces an implication of previously stated conditions. “Therefore” introduces the conclusion for an argument that depends on previous statements. Ordinarily, conclusions and implications correspond, but not always. Why
do birds fly?
Pigs do have wings. They fly. Thus, they can fly.
What is the meaning of the phrase “It is a metaphor and I’m a result of it.”
Why is then used for multiple idiomatic purposes? Which one is an OED sense 5 (then = that being the case, therefore etc), of which there are examples from as early as the 10th century.
- (As a particle of inference, often unemphatic or enclitic) That being the case; since that is so; on that account; therefore, as may be inferred; so. now then: see now then at now adv. 6.
971 Blickl. Hom. 92. 39 Us is onne mycel nedearf t we gebugon to him.
c1230 of hali mileid. 5 Nis ha enne sariliche akast & in to ewdom idrahen.
1297 R. Gloucester’s Chron., 1252, p. 506. Was there any sire they graunte me anne? As poche place as mid a uong ich may aboute tille?
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gu00f6tt.) l l. 5987 Wend on ann, sien e wil ga.
c1475 ()? M. Apol (c. 1400) (London: Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 4 It is certayn an, owe he be his seruaunt.
1539 Bible (great) 2 Sam. iii. 18 now do it.
1546 Wycklyffes Wycket sig. Why can is on any line A. toboh no ice?
1602 Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor ii. ii. Fals. 296 36. Good den faire wife. Quic. Why not so ant like your worship. Fal. Faire Mayd then.
a1616 Shakespeare As You Like It (1623) iv. iii. What are a good dean?
Milton Paradise Lost (new ed.) Verse sig. A4, This neglect then of Rime so little isto be taken for a defect..that you .
What are your views about O. Goldsmith in ‘The Courpious (Washington)’ as the Supreme Court ruled in Conquer v. Williams (1773), and if there are still any wretched hands against her, why? Hast. of 93 Hast. What is the truth as to how Tony met his father? Riddle me this then?
1677: Scott Kenilworth, viii. 203 ‘Ha!” said the Countess, hastily; ‘That rumour then is true, Janet. ‘
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 86 We give up our cruise, then, after all?
What are the main reasons for a short time?
