"then" in a Sentence — Examples for K-8

Three example sentences for then, written at K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 reading levels.

What does "then" mean?

then is an adverb that means: at that time, or next after something else. Seeing it in real sentences helps kids learn how the word actually behaves in writing.

Grade K–2Easy sentence with then

"I ate, then slept."

Notice the short, simple structure — perfect for early readers learning to decode and understand new words.

Grade 3–5Upper-elementary sentence with then

"We finished our homework first and then went outside to play."

This sentence adds more context and detail — typical of chapter books at this grade level.

Grade 6–8Middle-school sentence with then

"Back then, kids spent most afternoons outside playing tag, riding bikes, or building forts, since there were no phones or video games to compete for their attention after school."

At this level, then takes on subtler shades of meaning depending on context — the kind of nuance middle-schoolers need for essay writing.

How to use these sentences in the classroom

Sentence imitation — Read the example aloud, then have students write their own sentence with the same structure but a different topic.

Vocabulary notebooks — Have students copy the grade-appropriate sentence into their vocabulary journal alongside the definition.

Reading comprehension — Ask students to identify why then is the right word for that sentence — what would change if you swapped it for a synonym?

FAQ — using "then" in sentences

How do I use then in a sentence for a 1st grader?

Try: "I ate, then slept." Keep it under 7 words and use sight-word vocabulary around it.

What's a more advanced sentence with then?

"Back then, kids spent most afternoons outside playing tag, riding bikes, or building forts, since there were no phones or video games to compete for their attention after school."

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