The word "then" is often used to indicate a sequence of events in time. For example, if you say, "I finished my homework, and then I went outside to play," it shows that one action happened after another. This helps us understand the order in which things occur, making it easier to follow a story or a set of instructions. In addition to showing time, "then" can also be used to express a consequence. For instance, if someone says, "If it rains, then we will stay indoors," it means that staying indoors is the result of the rain. This use of "then" helps clarify relationships between actions and their outcomes.