A。すると B。(~suruto): meaning and how to use it (JLPT N2 grammar)

At a glance

すると starts a new sentence and means "then" or "thereupon". After action A, event B happens as a result, often something new or unexpected.

[Sentence A (past or non-past)]。すると、[Sentence B]。

家いえに帰かえった。すると、友達ともだちが待まっていた。 I went home. Then I found my friend waiting.

すると is a connector. It goes at the start of sentence B, usually followed by a comma.

Position	Example	Register
After a past sentence A (telling what happened)	電話でんわをかけた。すると、…	Neutral, common in stories and writing
After a non-past sentence A (directions, how something works)	右みぎに曲まがります。すると、…	Polite speech, explanations
At the start of a reply, meaning "in that case"	すると、明日あしたは休やすみですね。	Conversation, somewhat formal