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so (conjunction) and then

So and then can both be used in replies, to mean ‘since that is so’, ‘it follows from what you have said’.

  • ‘It’s more expensive to travel on Friday.’ ‘Then/So I’ll leave on Thursday.’
  • ‘I’ll be needing the car.’ ‘Then/So I suppose I’ll have to take a taxi.’

So (but not then) can also be used when the same speaker connects two ideas, to mean ‘it follows from what I have said’.

  • It’s more expensive to travel on Friday, so I’ll leave on Thursday. (not … Then I’ll leave on Thursday.)