Then or Than | Difference & Example Sentences
Then and than are two commonly confused words with different meanings and grammatical roles.
- Then (pronounced with a short ‘e’ sound) refers to time. It’s typically an adverb, but it’s also used as a noun meaning ‘that time’ and as an adjective referring to a previous status.
- Than (pronounced with a short ‘a’ sound) is used to express comparison. Grammatically, it usually functions as a conjunction, but sometimes it’s a preposition.
| Examples: ‘Then’ in a sentence | Examples: ‘Than’ in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Follow the road for another mile, and then take the exit. | Brie is a better golfer than you. |
| I was working in a bookstore then. | I often like planning a holiday more than I like the holiday itself. |
‘Then’ to indicate time
Then can be used as an adverb to place events or things in order. It can be used to refer to both past and future points in time.
Cook the turkey slowly, and then let it rest for thirty minutes before serving.
We will take a train to the coast and then rent a car.
Then can be used as a noun to mean ‘that time’. Again, this can refer to the past or future.
Until then, we’ll just have to hope for the best.
Then can also be used as an adjective to refer to a previous status or to indicate that something belongs to a specific time.
Other uses of ‘then’
Then can also be used to express a condition or consequence, meaning the same as ‘in that case’. It is also used in combination with ‘if’ to express a condition.
If you are allergic to eggs, then you shouldn’t have ordered an omelet.
It can also be used in informal speech and writing to acknowledge that an agreement has been made (e.g., ‘all right then’, ‘okay then’).
‘Than’ for comparison
Than is a conjunction or preposition used to compare two or more things.
My brother plays the piano more than I do.
In formal writing, it’s important to get this right, or your meaning could be confused:
- Ralph likes school more than [he likes] me.
- Ralph likes school more than I [like school].
‘Other than’ or ‘other then’
Other than is a common expression used to mean ‘besides‘, ‘except for’, or ‘apart from’. ‘Other then’ is never correct.
‘More then’ or ‘more than’
More than is a common expression meaning ‘very’ or ‘extremely’. It’s used to emphasise an attitude or emotion expressed by an adjective that comes after it.
Worksheet: Than vs then
You can test your understanding of the difference between ‘then’ and ‘than’ with the worksheet below. Fill in either ‘then’ or ‘than’ in each sentence.
- I finished my bachelor’s degree, and _____ I began a master’s.
- Vincent used to swim when he was in school, but he hasn’t swum since _____.
- Isabella is friendlier _____ Leon.
- The _____ secretary was more organised _____ the current secretary.
- Other _____ Mary, we’re all ready to go.
- I finished my bachelor’s degree, and then I began a master’s.
- ‘Then’ is used here as an adverb to place events in order. In this instance, it is used to refer to the past.
- Vincent used to swim when he was in school, but he hasn’t swum since then.
- Here, ‘then’ is used as a noun to mean ‘that time’.
- Isabella is friendlier than Leon.
- ‘Than’ can be used as a conjunction to compare two or more things.
- The then secretary was more organised than the current secretary.
- In the first instance, ‘then’ is used as an adjective to refer to a previous status. In the second instance, ‘than’ is used for comparison.
- Other than Mary, we’re all ready to go.
- Here, ‘than’ is used to complete the expression ‘other than’, meaning ‘except for’.
Other interesting language articles
If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.
Confused words
Definitions
US vs. UK spellings
Frequently asked questions about then vs than
- When do you use then vs than?
-
Then and than are two commonly confused words with different meanings and grammatical roles.
- Then (pronounced with a short ‘e’ sound) refers to time. It’s often an adverb, but it can also be used as a noun meaning ‘that time’ and as an adjective referring to a previous status.
- Than (pronounced with a short ‘a’ sound) is used for comparisons. Grammatically, it usually functions as a conjunction, but sometimes it’s a preposition.
Examples: Then in a sentence Examples: Than in a sentence Mix the dry ingredients first, and then add the wet ingredients. Max is a better saxophonist than you. I was working as a teacher then. I usually like coaching a team more than I like playing soccer myself. - Is it better than or better then?
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Then and than are two commonly confused words. In the context of ‘better than’, you use ‘than’ with an ‘a’.
- Julie is better than Jesse.
- I’d rather spend my time with you than with him.
- I understand Eoghan’s point of view better than Claudia’s.
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Ryan, E. (2022, October 20). Then or Than | Difference & Example Sentences. Scribbr. Retrieved 3 December 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/frequently-confused-words/then-or-than/
