How to Use but then in a Sentence

but then

phrase

• Her plan was to be back to work by now, but then the strike happened.
  — Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Aug. 2023
• Only a liar would deny it, but then the job just had to be done.
  — David Martin, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2023
• The Heat’s offense kept it in the game for the first three quarters, but then went cold in the fourth quarter.
  — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
• We kind of like each other in real life, but then there’s the show.
  — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2024
• Witt trotted on the field but then retreated to the dugout.
  — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2025
• And my son, who's only four, goes to bed in his own bed but then has to sleep with us.
  — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024
• And some of these very same folks who want to help Israel, but then want to walk away from Ukraine?
  — CBS News, 12 Nov. 2023
• Style over substance for sure, but then again, what style!
  — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2024
• The very thought feels absurd—but then again, isn’t that the whole point of luxury?
  — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
• When police were called to the scene, Scott was asked to leave, and did, but then continued to yell at the crew on the yacht.
  — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Aug. 2024
• Adults will roll their eyes at the fart jokes; but then, kids will cringe at the sound of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay.
  — Damon Wise, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2024
• Kim’s third shot landed within 10 feet of the flag, but then rolled back some 40 feet away.
  — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2024
• Matthew bogeyed two holes on the front nine, but then picked up four birdies and just one bogey on the back nine.
  — Jodom, oregonlive, 25 Aug. 2023
• Sherrod stole it again with 43 seconds to go but then got hurt again in the scramble and had to be helped off the court.
  — Matthew Coles, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
• In the video, Perez is on the ground but then stands up to take a step towards police, who were on the other side of a chain fence.
  — Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
• According to reports, the victim gave Carter the shoes but then reached into the car and took one of the shoes back.
  — Stepheny Price, Fox News, 27 Mar. 2024
• The film hit a particular note but then didn’t vary that note.
  — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2024
• Harry agrees to the timeline, but then puts in a secret call to Conrad.
  — Matt Cabral, EW.com, 30 Mar. 2025
• Smith walked Monasterio with one out in the seventh but then picked him off first.
  — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
• You were born in Queens, but then moved to South Carolina at a very early age.
  — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 7 Dec. 2023
• The concession made sense at the time, but then over the last ten years, two major factors changed the landscape.
  — Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
• Some customers do note that the comforter may be too thin — but then again that may be ideal.
  — Good Housekeeping, 7 Sep. 2023
• The girl is seen smiling at first, but then appears confused.
  — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 26 Sep. 2023
• The man then went outside, but then pulled out a gun and went back into the house toward his girlfriend’s mom.
  — Jennifer Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 26 May 2024
• Just a handful of burglaries here and there for a while, but then a few more.
  — Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
• Sunday night will be mostly clear in the evening, but then become partly cloudy as the night goes on.
  — Brooke Muckerman, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 19 Mar. 2026
• Vythilingum stopped his car for a moment after the crash but then sped off, cops learned from surveillance footage, according to court papers.
  — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
• The decline grew to 23 cents on April 15 but then shrank slowly to about 14 cents in mid-May.
  — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
• Sure, but then very few things in sports are a sure bet.
  — Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
• Then there are so many corners that are technical, but then also daring.
  — John Sturbin, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026