ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: Question about using Then

victorycountry — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 05:49:17 GMT

Hi,

1. "then" used to introduce the next item in a series of actions, events, instructions, etc.

e.g.

- First cook the onions, then add the mushroom. = First cook the onions, and after doing that add the mushroom.

2. also "then"used to show the logical result of a particular statement or situation

e.g.

- If you miss that train then youâll have to get a taxi = If you miss that train, you'll have to get a taxi as a result of it.

Question about using Then

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 05:08:00 GMT

I have a quick question about using the word Then. "I do X, then do Y." If something prevented me from doing X, could I not then do Y? The one argument that I get is, "Even though you can't do X, you can still do Y. Only when it says 'If you do X, then do Y' can you not do it." The other argument is, "In order to then do Y, you must have done X. Otherwise, there is no then Y." Though it isn't important, it has been bothering me for a while.