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Giovana
`So` and `then`
Please, can you tell me what is the difference between SO and THEN. Thanks :)
Jan 14, 2009 2:52 PM
Answers · 2
2
So, can mean "so that" (or "in order to") or "therefore": "I went to the airport, so (so that) I could pick up my friend." This could also be: "I went to the airport in order to pick up my friend."
The "therefore" meaning of "so" is like this: I was hungry, so I ate dinner = I was hungry; therefore, I ate dinner.
"Then" simply means "after that": I went to dinner. Then, I went to the movies. (I went to dinner. After that, I went to the movies).
I should point out a common mistake among those studying English. That is to say: "I went to dinner. After, I went to the movies." This is incorrect and when spoken indicates that you first went to the movies ("I went to dinner after I went to the movies."). It should be: "After that, I went to the movies."
January 14, 2009
1
"So" is more on cause-effect/ reasoning
while
"Then" is more on sequence and order
January 14, 2009
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Giovana
Language Skills
English, Polish, Portuguese
Learning Language
English, Polish
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