"When we X, we can then" vs. "we then can"

Question

Consider these two sentences:

When we go home, we can then watch a DVD

When we go home, then we can watch a DVD

Both mean the exact same thing, but do they differ in linguistic terms?

Good question, vague title. I would suggest something more specific like: "Is there a different meaning based on placement of when/then?" — Lynn, Jan 09 '12 at 16:29
Personally I feel "then" is effectively redundant in both sentences, for most feasible contexts. It seems to me the clause "When we go home" would more naturally come second, but if you do that it immediately becomes apparent the word "then" is worse than redundant - it's positively unwanted. — FumbleFingers, Jan 09 '12 at 17:08

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 09 '12 at 16:26

No linguistic difference in terms of construction. However, reading the sentences, the first feels more like the going home is a required step of watching the DVD whereas the second just feels like they're events that follow in time. They both result in the same sequence of events, but one indicates for a causal relationship rather than casual.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 09 '12 at 15:55

1

Little or nothing changes. It is a different word order, but there is no change in meaning, parts of speech, etc.

answered Jan 09 '12 at 15:55

MetaEd

28,488

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 12 '14 at 01:05

0

Or, "Son, when we go home, we can then watch a DVD" Vs. When we go home, then we can watch a DVD, boy"

answered Dec 12 '14 at 01:05

Shakai

1

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"When we X, we can then" vs. "we then can"

3 Answers3