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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

'then' meaning

Ben: What did you do after the time you delivered the baby?
Ana: I chose, then, to be a full-time mother.

Ben: Your husband is very irresponsible.
Ana: That's why I chose, then, to divorce him.

1. I understand that "then" above can either mean "at that time" or "in that case", but how do I know which meaning is intended in the two exchanges above?

2. I think both meanings are possible in each exchange above. Is there a clue which can tell me whether it means "at that time" or "in that case"?

3. Which do you think is meant in each exchange above, to begin with?

4. If my exchanges are not good, please give an example showing the two meanings?
  

Top answer

Hi, Ben: What did you do after the time you delivered the baby? Ana: I chose, then , to be a full-time mother. Ben: Your husband is very irresponsible.

  • Hi, Ben: What did you do after the time you delivered the baby?
  • Ana: I chose, then , to be a full-time mother.
  • Ben: Your husband is very irresponsible.
  • Ana: That's why I chose, then , to divorce him.
  • Let's make this sound more natural.
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2 Answers
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Hi,
Ben: What did you do after the time you delivered the baby?
Ana: I chose, then, to be a full-time mother.

Ben: Your husband is very irresponsible.
Ana: That's why I chose, then, to divorce him.

Let's make this sound more natural.
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This is clear to me now.

Thank you for correcting my dialogues and answering my questions.

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