Then vs Than

Then vs Than - Exercise

This exercise focuses on Then vs Than

What Do "Then" and "Than" Mean?

• Then is related to time or sequence. It’s used to talk about what happens next or at a specific time.

• Example: "I’ll finish my homework, and then I’ll watch TV."

• Than is used for comparisons. It helps compare two things, ideas, or people.

• Example: "My dog is bigger than your dog."

Rules for Using "Then"

Use then in these situations:

1. To show time or sequence:

• "First, we’ll eat dinner, and then we’ll go for a walk."

• "Back then, life was simpler."

2. To mean "at that time":

• "I was in school back then."

• "If you weren’t ready then, you can try now."

3. To indicate a result or decision:

• "If you don’t study, then you won’t pass the test."

• "So, that’s how it works then?"

Rules for Using "Than"

Use than in these situations:

1. To compare two things:

• "She’s taller than her brother."

• "This book is more interesting than the last one."

2. In comparisons with quantities or numbers:

• "I have more money than I had yesterday."

• "There are fewer cars on the road today than last week."

3. With expressions like "rather than" or "other than":

• "I’d rather walk than drive."

• "Other than that, everything is fine."

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

1. Using "then" instead of "than":
   Incorrect: "She is stronger then me."
   Correct: "She is stronger than me." (comparison)

2. Using "than" instead of "then":
   Incorrect: "First, we’ll go to the park, than we’ll eat."
   Correct: "First, we’ll go to the park, then we’ll eat." (sequence)

3. Mixing them up in comparisons with time:
   Incorrect: "I was happier back than."
   Correct: "I was happier back then." (time)

Everyday Use of "Then" and "Than"

Quick Tip to Remember the Difference

If you’re comparing two things, use than (both have "a").
If you’re talking about time or sequence, use then (both have "e").

You may also like other tricky vocabulary pairs: Incoming and Upcoming, Fiend vs Feen, Affect vs Effect, Affirm vs Confirm, In Process vs In Progress, Fate vs Destiny, Damnit or Dammit

FAQs About Then vs. Than

What is the main difference between "then" and "than"?

• Then relates to time or order.

• Than is used for comparisons.

Can "then" and "than" ever be used interchangeably?

No, they have distinct meanings and cannot replace each other.

Why do people confuse "then" and "than"?

Their similar spelling and pronunciation make them easy to mix up, especially for ESL learners.

Are there any tricks to remember the difference?

Yes! Think of than for comparisons (both have "a") and then for time or sequence (both have "e").

Which one is correct: "better then" or "better than"?

"Better than" is correct because it’s a comparison.