then
1.注意下面每组里的第一句里没有then,第二句里有then:
- When you come, I shall be glad to see you.
When you tell me all about it, then I shall be able to decide. - If you come, I shall be glad to see you.
If you tell me all about it, then I shall be able to decide.
每组的第一句里不可加上then,第二句里的then可有可无,有了语气重些。then含有“然后”或“当然”等意思。
2.把then用在句子的开首往往不好,如下面两个then都不好:
- It is getting late. Then we ought to go to bed. (该改作As it is getting late, we ought to go to bed。)
- He went out. Then his wife shut the door. (可以改作When he had gone out, his wife shut the door。)
3.下面两句在口语里都普通,在文字里有人以为该在then前面加上and:
- She slept for a while, then took a walk.
- He put on his cap, then started out into the night.
4.then and there和there and then都可以说。例如:I decided to do it then and there (或there and then).