10 Better Ways To Say “Since Then”

“Since then” is a phrase we can use when we want to communicate that something has changed as a direct result of something that happened in the past. While “since then” is a useful phrase, there are plenty of alternatives that may better suit the situation.

What Can I Say Instead Of “Since Then”?

Here are some of the best phrases you can use instead of “since then”:

• From then on
• After that
• Ever since
• From that point forward
• From that point on
• From that moment
• Thereafter
• Since
• Henceforth
• Because of that
• The period that followed

The preferred version is “from then on.” It carries the same basic meaning and implications as “since then” but reads as slightly more polished. It can be used both formally in informally, making it a bit more flexible than “since then.”

From Then On

“From then on” can replace “since then” in most situations. It’s not inherently formal or informal, but sounds more polished than “since then.” As such, it’s appropriate to use “from then on” in a wider variety of situations than “since then.”

Both “since then” and “from then on” imply a continuous result. In other words, the thing happening as a result of the past event is still happening. They also imply a something has changed.

“From then on” is a phrase that is natural in both everyday speech and in writing, even when the particular piece of writing is meant to be formal.

Here are some examples:

• From then on she couldn’t stomach the smell of chocolate.
• She didn’t discover a love of reading until he sister gifted her a mystery novel for her fortieth birthday and, from then on, always seemed to have a book in her hands.
• Well it was rough until we got the heater working, but it’s been smooth sailing from then on.

After That

“After that” is a useful phrase because, unlike “since then,” “after that” doesn’t imply a continuous state. It’s a great phrase as you can use it whether the results of the past action are continuous or not.

“After that” is used often when talking about a direct sequence of events. For example, “I went home right after that.” In that sentence, the past event was probably right before the speaker went home.

However, “after that” is inherently vague. It doesn’t specify a time frame or imply a single event so it can also be used in a more continuous sense like “since then.”

Another strength of “after that” is it’s easy to fill in the details of what “that” is referring to. In “since then” you’re referring to some event you’ve already mentioned. “After that” is easier to place in context.

Here are some ways you can use “after that”:

• It seems like everything changed after that night.
• After that tense exchange she didn’t really want to talk to him anymore.
• She wasn’t excited about going to the zoo after that.

Ever Since

Similar to “after that,” “ever since” is more flexible than “since then.” It’s easy to use “ever since” in the context of the event you’re referencing. Additionally, “ever since” is appropriate in both colloquial and academic settings.

While “ever since” isn’t formal, it’s a polished phrase that is often used in colloquial speech, academic writing, and literature. You’re unlikely to see it in formal or professional contexts, but it’s a solid choice outside of that.

“Ever since” implies a continuous state as a result of the past action or event, especially when a change has occurred. As such it can be used similarly to “since then.” You’ll sometimes see the phrases combined into “ever since then.” Keep in mind that “ever since” is a bit more flexible on its own.

Here are some examples:

• People have been getting less and less sleep ever since the industrial revolution.
• She finally found a good job in Kentucky and has been living there ever since.
• His thesis paper was called “Ever Since Tesla: Reflections on the History of Electronic Innovation.”
• Ever since then, I’ve had a hard time feeling comfortable asking for help.

From That Point Forward

“From that point forward” is a good option if you’re communicating in a formal or professional environment. While it can be used in informal settings, it’s not usually natural.

Here, “that point” is referring to a point in time. So “forward” is describing going forward in time, not going physically forward.

Like “since then,” “from that point forward” implies a continuous state result from a past action or event. It doesn’t necessarily imply there’s been a change, although context can give it that meaning.

Here are some examples:

• From that point forward, I understood what my father had meant when he’d told me the grass is always greener on the other side.
• The new system defaulted every old case to July 10, 2021, so we’ll only have accurate dates for cases from that point forward.
• I tried not to think about it from that point forward, but I wasn’t entirely successful.

From That Point On

“From that point on” can be used similarly to “from that point forward.” The difference is that “from that point on” is less formal.

“On” is being used exactly like “forward” in the previous example. As “forward” feels more formal than “on” to most native English speakers, “from that point on” is generally considered to be a slightly more informal version of “from that point forward.”

Here’s how you can use it:

• From that point on, I tried to spend more time relaxing.
• He decided he wasn’t going to let it get to him from that point on.
• It was such a difficult journey that once he arrived he vowed from that point on to never again take modern transportation for granted.

From That Moment

“From that moment” emphasizes the moment something changed. The moment isn’t necessarily an important event in a grand sense but is important in the sense that something changed.

This phrase implies a continuous state or condition that is a direct result of the event referenced by the word “moment.”

“From that moment” isn’t a common phrase in day-to-day speech. It’s more likely to be used in writing, both formal and informal. Here are some examples:

• From that moment the color green became significant to my life.
• From that moment it was as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
• I decided from that moment I was through with logic and reason.

Thereafter

“Thereafter” is a formal word that emphasizes timing. It has the same basic meaning as “from then on,” with the emphasis being on a continuous situation that started at a specific time in the past.

While “thereafter” implies a continuous situation, it doesn’t imply that the situation is a result of a specific event. While it can be, the emphasis is on time.

 “Thereafter” is a formal, more literary word. You’re most likely to encounter it in writing, but less likely to see it in informal writing. Here are some situations where it could be used:

• She served in congress from 2000 to 2008 and was appointed as a judge thereafter.
• In that year alone he added fifty-five moral codes, which thereafter numbered over a hundred written by him alone.
• He resided first with his sister’s family, and thereafter in a small but cozy apartment when he’d saved up enough money.

Since

“Since” on its own is useful when you want to specify the past event you’re referring to. You can almost always replace “since then” with “since” followed by the specific event.

“Since” on its own doesn’t have any reference to another time period. In order to make it a good replacement for “since then” you need to add in some details in place of “then.”

Here’s what that might look like:

• She’s hardly eaten anything since the funeral.
• The organization had grown considerably since the board appointed a new executive director.
• Since yesterday’s meeting the numbers have risen dramatically.

Because of that

“Because of that” emphasizes the direct relationship between the event and the result. It is less concerned with the timing of events and often appears in the context describing the event.

“Because of that” can be a reference to an aforementioned past event, and it can also reference a pre-existing condition or reason. Here are some examples:

• She didn’t like to sweat, and because of that almost always wore short sleeves.
• Because of that, the film wasn’t very well received.
• Because of that, I tried to spend more time relaxing.

The Period That Followed

“The period that followed” emphasizes a specific period that followed a past event. It’s not commonly used in everyday speech but is a great choice in writing.

This phrase is especially popular in academic texts, especially when discussing periods following important historical events.

Unlike many of the above options, “the period that followed” doesn’t imply a change has taken place. It’s specifically emphasizing what happened in the period following some event, regardless of whether a change has occurred or not.

Here are some examples:

• Not much changed in the period that followed.
• The period that followed was unlike any other time in history.
• There are many things people generally consider to be unique to the period that followed World War II.

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