English is a complex language filled with words that sound similar but have different meanings and uses. Two such commonly confused words are “then” and “than.”
Although they are only one letter apart, their meanings and functions are distinct. Understanding the difference between these two words is essential for clear communication and writing.
This blog post will provide a deep dive into the definitions, proper usage, and common mistakes involving “then” and “than.” By the end of this article, you’ll be confident in using these two words accurately.
Then vs Than – Quick Overview
Let’s begin with a quick comparison table to understand the key differences between then and than:
| Feature | Then | Than |
| Part of Speech | Adverb, Noun, Adjective | Conjunction, Preposition |
| Primary Usage | Refers to time or consequence | Used for comparison |
| Example | “We went to dinner, then to the movie.” | “She is taller than her brother.” |
| Common Meaning | Next in time, as a result, or at that time | Indicates difference or comparison |
When to Use “Then”
“Then” is primarily used as an adverb and refers to time, sequence of events, consequences, or can serve as a connector similar to “in addition.” Below are the most common contexts where “then” is used, along with examples and explanations.
1. Time Sequence
The most frequent use of “then” is to indicate something happening after something else in time.
Example:
“I will finish my homework, then I’ll go to the gym.”
In this example, the speaker will first complete homework and afterward go to the gym — showing a clear time sequence.
Additional Examples:
| Sentence | Meaning |
| “He washed his hands, then ate lunch.” | Washing hands happened before lunch. |
| “We were friends back then.” | Refers to a past time when they were friends. |
2. Consequence or Result
“Then” is also used to indicate a logical consequence or result — what follows if a certain condition is met.
Example:
“If you study hard, then you will pass the exam.”
Here, passing the exam is the expected consequence of studying hard.
Additional Examples:
| Condition | Result |
| “If it rains, then we’ll stay home.” | Staying home is conditional on rain. |
| “If you’re hungry, then eat something.” | Eating is a result of being hungry. |
3. At That Time
“Then” can refer to a specific moment in the past or future — meaning “at that time.”
Example:
“I was young then.”
This refers to a specific point in the past when the speaker was young.
Additional Examples:
| Sentence | Interpretation |
| “By then, it was too late.” | A specific moment in the past had passed. |
| “We’ll talk about it then.” | Refers to a specific time in the future. |
4. In Addition / Furthermore
Though less common, “then” can also act like a transition word meaning “in addition” or “moreover.”
Example:
“She’s smart, and then she’s very hardworking too.”
Here, “then” adds an additional trait to the list — transitioning smoothly between two characteristics.
Additional Examples:
| Sentence | Role |
| “He is creative, and then he’s great with people.” | Adds another quality. |
| “We visited the museum, then went to the beach.” | Lists activities in addition. |
When to Use “Than”
Unlike “then,” the word “than” is used exclusively to draw comparisons. It is most commonly used as a conjunction in comparative statements but can also function as a preposition.
1. Comparisons
“Than” is used to show the difference between two or more things, usually when one thing exceeds or contrasts with another.
Example:
“This book is more interesting than the last one.”
Here, a comparison is being made between two books.
Additional Examples:
| Sentence | Comparison Type |
| “She is taller than her brother.” | Height comparison |
| “It’s colder today than yesterday.” | Temperature comparison |
| “He drives faster than I do.” | Speed comparison |
2. Than with Adjectives and Adverbs
“Than” often follows comparative adjectives (e.g., taller, smarter, better) and comparative adverbs (e.g., faster, more efficiently).
Examples:
- “He works more efficiently than his coworker.”
- “This cake is sweeter than the one I made yesterday.”
3. Than in Negative Constructions
“Than” is also used in negative comparisons, often to express preferences or contrasts.
Example:
“I would rather stay in than go out tonight.”
This expresses a preference for staying in over going out.
Additional Examples:
| Sentence | Meaning |
| “She prefers tea than coffee.” | Compares preference for tea over coffee. |
| “I’d sooner walk than take the bus.” | Indicates walking is preferred. |
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Because “then” and “than” sound similar (they’re homophones in some dialects), writers often mix them up. Here are some common mistakes and how to fix them.
| Incorrect Usage | Corrected Version | Explanation |
| “She is smarter then him.” | “She is smarter than him.” | Comparison requires “than.” |
| “If you finish your homework, than you can play.” | “If you finish your homework, then you can play.” | “Then” shows consequence. |
| “We went to the store, than we had lunch.” | “We went to the store, then we had lunch.” | Indicates sequence of events. |
| “I’d rather walk then drive.” | “I’d rather walk than drive.” | Preference comparison uses “than.” |
Tip to Remember:
- Use “than” for comparisons.
- Use “then” for time, sequence, or consequence.
Memory Aids and Mnemonics
Here are a few tricks to help you remember the difference:
- Then = Time
→ Both start with “T.” - Than = Comparison
→ “A” in “than” matches “compAre.” - Use a Sentence Check:
Try replacing the word with “at that time” or “next.” If it fits, use then. If it doesn’t, and you’re comparing things, use than.
Mini Quiz
Test your understanding with this quick quiz:
- He is faster ___ his brother.
- We went to the mall, ___ we watched a movie.
- I’d rather read a book ___ watch TV.
- If you’re done, ___ let’s leave.
- She is more skilled ___ her teammate.
Answers:
- than
- then
- than
- then
- than
When to Use “Than” – Deeper Dive
As previously introduced, “than” is primarily used in comparative contexts. Let’s now explore its usage more thoroughly with examples and common phrases that often confuse even native speakers.
1. Comparisons of Degree or Quantity
“Than” is most commonly used to compare amounts, degrees, levels, or intensities between two or more entities.
Example:
“This laptop is more expensive than that one.”
Here, a degree of cost is being compared.
Additional Examples:
| Sentence | What’s Being Compared |
| “She has more followers than him.” | Quantity (followers) |
| “I slept less than usual.” | Amount (sleep) |
| “The mountain is higher than the hill.” | Degree of elevation |
| “He has fewer responsibilities than before.” | Quantity (responsibilities) |
📝 Note: When using comparatives like more, less, higher, fewer, better, etc., “than” is the correct word to follow them.
2. Expressing Preference
“Than” is also used to show a preference between two things. These constructions often include expressions like “rather than,” “prefer X to Y,” or “would sooner.”
Examples:
- “I’d rather stay in than go out.”
- “They prefer tea to coffee, but I’d choose coffee rather than tea.”
Table of Preferences:
| Sentence | Meaning |
| “I’d sooner read than watch TV.” | Prefers reading over watching TV |
| “Rather than complain, do something about it.” | Encourages action over complaint |
| “She would rather sleep than study.” | Prefers sleeping over studying |
3. Comparing Actions or Characteristics
“Than” isn’t only used for comparing things; it’s also used to compare verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
Examples:
- “He runs faster than I do.”
- “They work harder than anyone else.”
- “I’d rather walk than drive.”
Comparative Table:
| Comparison Type | Example | Explanation |
| Verbs | “She cooks better than he does.” | Cooking abilities compared |
| Adjectives | “This solution is more effective than the last.” | Effectiveness is compared |
| Adverbs | “He arrived later than expected.” | Time of arrival compared |
🔀 Common Confusions & Phrases Involving “Than” and “Then”
Many phrases mix up “than” and “then” because they sound similar. Let’s clarify some commonly confused expressions and idiomatic constructions.
1. Other Than vs Other Then
✅ Other Than
Used to mean except for, aside from, or different from.
“Other than John, no one came to the meeting.”
(Meaning: Except for John)
❌ Other Then
Not grammatically correct. This is almost always a typo or confusion with “than.”
| Phrase | Correct? | Meaning |
| “Other than you, everyone agreed.” | ✅ | Everyone except you agreed. |
| “Other then you, everyone agreed.” | ❌ | Incorrect usage. |
2. More Than vs More Then
✅ More Than
Used for comparisons involving quantities or intensities.
“He has more than 10 years of experience.”
❌ More Then
Rarely correct; might appear in unusual structures, but generally a mistake.
| Phrase | Correct? | Usage |
| “She’s more than qualified.” | ✅ | Strong qualification |
| “More then she expected, it rained.” | ❌ | Should be “than” or reworded |
3. Rather Than vs Rather Then
✅ Rather Than
Used to indicate a preference or alternative.
“I’d rather listen than speak.”
❌ Rather Then
Incorrect — “then” does not show comparison or preference.
| Phrase | Correct? | Meaning |
| “I’d rather go alone than wait.” | ✅ | Prefers going alone |
| “I’d rather go alone then wait.” | ❌ | Incorrect comparison word |
Quick Reference Table: Than vs Then Phrases
| Phrase | Use “Than” or “Then”? | Meaning |
| “Better ___ before.” | Then | Refers to time (past) |
| “More ___ you think.” | Than | Quantity comparison |
| “Other ___ that, it’s fine.” | Than | Except for that |
| “If it rains, ___ cancel.” | Then | Consequence/result |
| “I’d rather sleep ___ study.” | Than | Preference |
| “Back ___, we didn’t have phones.” | Then | Refers to time |
| “She is smarter ___ him.” | Than | Comparison |
Grammar Tips to Distinguish “Then” and “Than”
Confusing “then” and “than” is one of the most common grammatical mistakes in English. To help prevent these errors, here are some clear, practical grammar tips you can apply while writing or editing.
1. Identify the Word’s Role in the Sentence
Ask yourself the purpose of the word in context:
- Are you comparing two things or expressing preference?
Use “than.” - Are you referring to time, order, or consequence?
Use “then.”
Example 1 (Comparison):
Incorrect: She is more confident then her brother.
Correct: She is more confident than her brother.
Example 2 (Time):
Incorrect: Finish your meal, than we’ll go.
Correct: Finish your meal, then we’ll go.
2. Look for Comparison Clues
When your sentence includes a comparative adjective or adverb, such as:
- more
- less
- better
- taller
- faster
- earlier
…then “than” is the correct word to follow it.
Example:
This version is better than the previous one.
3. Use Logical Substitution
Try replacing the confusing word with the phrase “at that time” or “next.”
- If it fits, you need “then.”
- If not, and you’re making a comparison, use “than.”
Example (Test with substitution):
I will call you, then come over. → I will call you, [next] come over. ✅ Correct
He is taller than me. → He is taller [next] me. ❌ Incorrect → Use “than”
4. Recognize Common Expression Patterns
Certain expressions almost always use one or the other. For example:
| Expression | Correct Word |
| “If… then…” | Then |
| “Rather than” | Than |
| “More than” | Than |
| “Back then” | Then |
| “Other than” | Than |
Familiarity with these fixed expressions will help reduce errors.
Summary Table: Then vs Than at a Glance
Here is a side-by-side reference table summarizing the differences between “then” and “than”:
| Feature | Then | Than |
| Part of Speech | Adverb, sometimes noun or adjective | Conjunction, preposition |
| Function | Indicates time, sequence, or result | Used in comparisons |
| Think of It As… | “Next,” “at that time,” “as a result” | “In comparison to,” “in contrast to” |
| Common Usage | Chronological order, cause-effect logic | Comparisons of degree, quality, or preference |
| Key Words Often Nearby | If, first, next, later, back | More, less, better, worse, rather |
| Examples | “We went to the store, then had lunch.” | “She’s taller than her brother.” |
| Easy Tip | Then = Time (T for time) | Than = compAre (A for comparison) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between “then” and “than”?
“Then” relates to time or consequence (what happens next or what happened at that time).
“Than” is used to compare two things, people, or ideas.
Can “than” ever be used for time?
No. “Than” is strictly a comparative word. If you’re talking about time or sequence, “then” is always the correct choice.
Which is correct: “better than me” or “better than I”?
Both can be correct depending on style:
“Better than me” is commonly used in informal speech.
“Better than I” is technically correct in formal grammar, short for “better than I am.”
Is it ever correct to say “rather then”?
No. The correct expression is “rather than” to show preference.
Example: I’d rather go early than be late.
Why is “then” sometimes a noun?
“Then” can function as a noun when referring to a specific time.
Example:
The then-president signed the bill.
Here, “then-president” means the person who was president at that time.
Can you use both “than” and “then” in the same sentence?
Yes, but only if the sentence contains both a comparison and a time-related clause.
Example:
If you’re faster than me, then you’ll finish first.
Which is correct: “more than” or “more then”?
“More than” is correct when comparing quantity, degree, or preference.
“More then” is almost always incorrect.
Example:
He has more than enough experience
How do I teach this difference to children or ESL learners?
Use visuals, substitution tests, and context examples. Mnemonics like “Then = Time” and “Than = compAre” help solidify the distinction.
Conclusion
Distinguishing “then” and “than” is easier than you might think once you understand their functions. Always remember:
- Use “than” when comparing.
- Use “then” for time, sequence, or consequences.
By practicing these grammar tips, referring to summary tables, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can sharpen your writing and avoid this frequent language error.
Let me know if you’d like a printable version, infographic, or worksheet to accompany this guide.
Belekar Sir is the founder and lead instructor at Belekar Sir’s Academy, a trusted name in English language education. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has helped thousands of students—from beginners to advanced learners—develop fluency, confidence, and real-world communication skills. Known for his practical teaching style and deep understanding of learner needs, Belekar Sir is passionate about making English accessible and empowering for everyone. When he’s not teaching, he’s creating resources and guides to support learners on their journey to mastering spoken English.
