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Peterchan Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

The word "then"

Hi, thx for reading my question again, here is my query:

1. My then-house in Sydney was destroyed in a storm = When I was still the owner of the house, it was destroyed in a storm?

2. The house I used to own in Sydney was destroyed in a recent storm = I owned this house (but not anymore) and this house was destroyed in a recent storm?

Are my sentences written correctly?

Cheers
  

Top answer

I see no problem with what you've written. I'd probably use a comma after the parenthetical in #2. In case you're also asking about the meanings, the first one is open to interpretation.

— Avangi

  • I see no problem with what you've written.
  • I'd probably use a comma after the parenthetical in #2.
  • In case you're also asking about the meanings, the first one is open to interpretation.
  • You may still own the property, and mean that the "house" is no longer a house.
  • What you now own is a piece of land and a pile of rubble.
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1 Answers
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I see no problem with what you've written. I'd probably use a comma after the parenthetical in #2.

In case you're also asking about the meanings, the first one is open to interpretation.
You may still own the property, and mean that the "house" is no longer a house. What you now own is a piece of land and a pile of rubble.

If you say, "My then beautiful house," it would pr
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