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DutchGirl Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Start a sentence with 'then'

Hello,

I'd like to know if it's possible to start a sentence with 'then'.

For example:

Then, he walked away.

Or is it:

He then walked away.

Thanks!
  

Top answer

I think most of the time this sentence would be incorporated into another sentence. For example, John gave his condolences to the family and then he walked away. I don't know that it is technically incorrect to start a sentence with then (perhaps another poster will answer that), but it seems ackward to me and incomplete.

— Sam1947

  • I think most of the time this sentence would be incorporated into another sentence.
  • For example, John gave his condolences to the family and then he walked away.
  • I don't know that it is technically incorrect to start a sentence with then (perhaps another poster will answer that), but it seems ackward to me and incomplete.
  • : Having given his condolences, he then walked away.
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13 Answers
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I think most of the time this sentence would be incorporated into another sentence. For example,

John gave his condolences to the family and then he walked away.

I don't know that it is technically incorrect to start a sentence with then (perhaps another poster will answer that), but it seems ackward to me and incomplete. The second sentence also sounds like it needs something
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DutchGirlI'd like to know if it's possible to start a sentence with 'then'.
Yes. And a comma is not necessary.

Then he walked away.

CJ
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It is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with the word then. The word then is a conjunctive adverb. It is in the same family as however, therefore, and consequently. So,

Peter approached the cliff. Then, he walked away. (correct)
Peter approached the cliff; then, he walked away. (correct)
Peter approached the cliff; he then walked awa
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Then, he walked away. (This is NOT correct. There should not be a comma after then in this sentence.)
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DutchGirlI'd like to know if it's possible to start a sentence with 'then'.
You can start a sentence with anything – even 'and' or 'but'.
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Thank you to Jose Blanco, for your comprehensive answer based on rules of grammar rather than opinion or guesswork.
-Betsy
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That is not true. You can't start a sentence with 'cause. (In American Standard English that is...)
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You surprise me. Are you sure?

(Standard English is because, not 'cause)
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Here you go:
'Cause is a shortened version of "because" and is primarily used in dialogue.

That was easy.
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The correction for your sentence:

John gave his condolences to the family, and then walked away.
sam1947 I think most of the time this sentence would be incorporated into another sentence. For example,John gave his condolences to the family and then he walked away.I don't know that it is technically incorrect to start a sentence with then (perhaps another poster wi
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