This article explains how to avoid repetitious writing by not using the word ‘then’ too often, and it includes a few practical examples.

The problem with using this word too often is that it looks as if you’re telling a story.

You are telling a story, of course, but you don’t have to make it obvious; why not try to be a little subtle, instead?

Here’s an extreme example of the over-use of ‘then.’

‘She went to the store then bought a book then returned home then started to read it then lost interest in it then decided to do something else.’

Why not sprinkle a few instances of the word ‘and’ in there?

‘She went to the store and bought a book then returned home and started to read it then lost interest in it then decided to do something else.’

Or better still, let’s also include the word ‘but.’

Let’s look at this.

‘She went to the store and bought a book then returned home and started to read it but lost interest in it and decided to do something else.’

Over-use of the word ‘it?’

No problem, this will solve it.

‘She went to the store and bought a book then returned home and started to read a few pages but lost interest in it and decided to do something else.’

It looks as if it’s pretty easy to avoid over-using the word ‘then.’

Just use ‘and’ and ‘but.’

Why not sprinkle a few instances of the word ‘and’ in there?

‘She went to the store and bought a book then returned home and started to read it then lost interest in it then decided to do something else.’

Or better still, let’s also include the word ‘but.’

Let’s look at this.

‘She went to the store and bought a book then returned home and started to read it but lost interest in it and decided to do something else.’

Over-use of the word ‘it?’

No problem, this will solve it.

‘She went to the store and bought a book then returned home and started to read a few pages but lost interest in it and decided to do something else.’

It looks as if it’s pretty easy to avoid over-using the word ‘then.’

Just use ‘and’ and ‘but’ a few times.