This was then when I realized vs This was then that I realized

Both phrases are commonly used in English, but they have slightly different meanings. 'This was then when I realized' is correct when referring to a specific time in the past when a realization occurred. On the other hand, 'This was then that I realized' is correct when introducing the realization as a subsequent event or consequence of the preceding context.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1964 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a specific time in the past when a realization occurred.

"This was then when I realized"

This phrase is used to indicate a particular moment in the past when a realization dawned on the speaker.

Examples:

This was then when I realized that I had made a mistake.
It was then when I realized the importance of family.
That was then when I realized how much I loved her.
It was then when I realized I needed to change my ways.
This was then when I realized I had been wrong all along.

Show examples from the web [+]

It was then I realized this was Rod's horror.
Then I realized this was Santa Claus.
Either I'm losing my mind, or all of this was really happening, and then I realized there was a third possibility.
And then I realized this was exactly what I needed -
It was then I realized he was not breathing.
It was then I realized we were made for each other.
But then when I realized that you were actually trying to help,
But then I realized she had this gift.
But then I realized this isn't about me.
Then I realized: this is the wiretap.
Then I realized that this is the next level.
But then I realized that this land is my world.
I was trying to hang on to this moment because I was so afraid of the future, but then I realized all of this was once the future.
When I was younger I always wanted to be an actor in commercials, then I realized I had a brain.
All day long, I've had this feeling that I had forgotten something, and then I realized what it was.
First I was a little upset, but then I realized this is great.
Then I realized how much good I can do by formulating this state's health policy.
At first I wasn't sure why he was telling me this, But then I realized he's still trying To cover his tracks and yours.
Then I realized I didn't feel like being the only former murder suspect at the pep rally this morning, so...
Then I realized, as soon as Adam heard this... he'd be worried about his wages.

Alternatives:

That was the moment when I realized
That was when I realized
It was at that point when I realized
That was the time when I realized
That was the instant when I realized

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to introduce a realization as a subsequent event or consequence of the preceding context.

"This was then that I realized"

This phrase is used to connect a past event or situation with a realization that occurred as a result of it.

Examples:

This was then that I realized I had to make a change.
It was then that I realized I had been wrong.
That was then that I realized I needed to move on.
It was then that I realized I had to let go.
This was then that I realized I had to face my fears.

Show examples from the web [+]

It was then I realized this was Rod's horror.
It was then that I realized rejection is easier to accept when you're honest with yourself about the reasons why.
It was then that I realized that my friend had gone completely mad.
It was then that I realized that the rules of the economic game were inherently invalid.
It was then that I realized I must devote my life to science.
Then I realized this was Santa Claus.
It was then that I realized... that I was going to spend the rest of my life with him.
It was then that I realized narrating other people's activities was just disguising the fact that we had none of our own.
It was then that I realized that Dersu's ingenuity had saved my life.
I realized then that I couldn't demonize him as someone selfish.
Either I'm losing my mind, or all of this was really happening, and then I realized there was a third possibility.
All day long, I've had this feeling that I had forgotten something, and then I realized what it was.
And so it was then that I realized there was an opportunity for me to collaborate with these scientists, and so I jumped at that opportunity.
It was right then that I realized that the pill wore off hours ago.
It was right then that I realized what I had to do.
I realized then that I was not the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
But I realized then that I wasn't afraid of anything.
So I realized then that I wanted to go out on a journey and see what guys were creating for themselves now.
I realized then that I was in love with her.
It was then I realized that I could also use an aerial drone to expand the worlds of bedridden people through flight, giving a sense of movement and control that is incredible.

Alternatives:

That was when I realized
That was the moment that I realized
It was at that point that I realized
That was the time that I realized
That was the instant that I realized

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This was then when I realized vs This was then that I realized