Cool MateSubsequently vs Then
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Subsequently
Top 3,000 (common)B2adverb
Then
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
Most common: Then
| Subsequently | Then | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsʌbsɪkwəntli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsʌbsɪkwəntli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ðen/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ðen/"]/ |
| Meaning | After something else has happened. | At that time; next in order. |
| Example | The original interview notes were subsequently lost. | I finished my homework, and then I went outside to play. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | subsequently published, subsequently discovered, subsequently revealed | then and there, back then, if... then, then again, more then |
| Antonyms | previously, beforehand, earlier, formerly | before, previously |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'consequently' which indicates a cause-effect relationship., Using 'subsequently' at the beginning of a sentence without a previous idea., Omitting it when listing steps in a process. | Confused with 'than' when comparing things., Used incorrectly at the beginning of a sentence without a connecting clause., Mixing 'then' with 'than' in conversations. |
| Usage notes | Use 'subsequently' to connect events in a formal or academic context. It may not fit in casual conversations. | Used to indicate a time in the past or future. Often used in storytelling. Avoid using in formal writing; instead, use 'subsequently' or 'afterward'. |
Frequently asked questions: Subsequently vs Then
What's the difference between Subsequently and Then?
Subsequently: After something else has happened. Then: At that time; next in order.
Which is more common: Subsequently and Then?
Then is the most common in everyday English.
Are Subsequently and Then the same CEFR level?
Subsequently: B2, Then: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Subsequently and Then interchangeably?
Not always. Subsequently and Then are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.