"Then," "and then," or something else?

Dante · Jun 17, 2007

When describing actions/events that occur in quick succession, what's the best transition word or phrase to use?

e.g.

She performs <action> <transition> performs <action>.

Using two (or compound) sentences is a safe choice, but it doesn't flow as succinctly as I'd like it to. Up to this point, I've just used "then," but now I believe that may be grammatically incorrect. Also, I'm thinking using "and" makes it seem like they happen simultaneously. I want to stress the fact that one happens before the other.

I've looked around, but the explanations I've found are sketchy. Anyone that can clear this up...wins a prize, or something.

FloVoyager · Jun 17, 2007

Can you be a little more specific? An example sentence would help.

Little Red Barn · Jun 17, 2007

He opened the door, brushed past her, then took the seat closest to the door?
Or
He opened the door and peeked in, then walked over to the bar.
Like that..

Dante · Jun 17, 2007

Thanks. I guess I was doing it correctly after all.

ErylRavenwell · Jun 17, 2007

kimmi said:
He opened the door, brushed past her, then took the seat closest to the door?
Or
He opened the door and peeked in, then walked over to the bar.
Like that..

The first one is right.

He opened the door, brushed past her, and then took the seat closest to the door.

This is strictly the correct form, but most writers ignore the "and" before the "then", which remember is an adverb here, not a conjunction. THis is the reason you get the green with MS Word.

Sandi LeFaucheur · Jun 18, 2007

Actually, I'd probably leave out "then".

He opened the door, brushed past her, and took the seat closest to the door.

FloVoyager · Jun 18, 2007

Sandi LeFaucheur said:
Actually, I'd probably leave out "then".

He opened the door, brushed past her, and took the seat closest to the door.

Me too.

Death Wizard · Jun 18, 2007

I think "then" as a conjunctive adverb is effective when used during specific descriptions of action. In fact, it's sometimes needed just to make sense of a situation or to add subtle meaning. For instance:

He snarled at her. He ran from the room.

He snarled at her. Then he ran from the room.

maestrowork · Jun 18, 2007

Use "and" unless the order of the actions is truly important.

He opened the door, brushed past her, and took the seat closest to the door.

He opened the door, walked up to the ledge, and then jumped off the roof.

But I'd probably do:

He opened the door and walked up to the ledge. Then he jumped off the roof.

ErylRavenwell · Jun 18, 2007

deathwizard said:
I think "then" as a conjunctive adverb is effective when used during specific descriptions of action. In fact, it's sometimes needed just to make sense of a situation or to add subtle meaning. For instance:

He snarled at her. He ran from the room.

He snarled at her. Then he ran from the room.

Nod. Gives a sense of continuity.

chibeth · Jun 18, 2007

I love this reference:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/conjunctions.htm

This has an easily understandable explanation, too:
http://www.mcrw.com/lovenotes/andthen.htm

"Then," "and then," or something else?

Dante

Quite Laconic

FloVoyager

Will write for chocolate

Little Red Barn

haz own threads

Dante

Quite Laconic

ErylRavenwell

Sandi LeFaucheur

FloVoyager

Will write for chocolate

Death Wizard

Tumhe na koci puujetha

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

ErylRavenwell

chibeth