Then vs than: use than to compare and then for time

The rule in one table

Cambridge Dictionary notes that these two words look similar, but they are spelled differently and have completely different meanings. One is about comparison. The other is about time and sequence.

A memory trick: than and compare both have an a, and then and when both end in -en. Use whichever trick works for you, but always check with the test below.

When to use than: comparisons

Than is a word of comparison. It connects the two things you compare. You will use it after comparative adjectives (taller, better, more expensive) and after words such as more, less, fewer, rather and other.

The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary gives these examples:

• An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
• No sooner had I sat down than there was a loud knock on the door.
• We're going away in June but other than that I'll be here all summer.
• I have never known him to behave other than selfishly.

More examples from Papertrue's guide: more than 100 guests showed up at the wedding venue, which could host no more than 50; the skilled professional charged no less than $100 per consultation.

Common patterns with than:

• comparative adjective + than: This phone is cheaper than that one.
• more/less + noun + than: I have more time than money.
• rather than: Let's walk rather than take a taxi.
• other than: Nobody other than Ana knew.
• no sooner … than: No sooner had we arrived than it began to rain.

Cambridge also notes that than can be used as a conjunction to introduce a clause: She runs faster than I do.

When to use then: time, order and result

Then answers questions such as when?, what next? and in that case? It has three main jobs.

1. At a particular time (past or future): I lived in Madrid then. See you then.
2. Next, after that: Mix the flour and water, then add the eggs.
3. As a result (in an if-then sentence): If you are tired, then you should rest.

Papertrue shows a time use: the meeting is scheduled for 3 PM, but it would be nice if you could come before then. Here then stands for 3 PM.

A medical example in a study guide shows the sequence meaning: patients will then feel better for 24 hours before a fever may occur again. Then tells us what happens next.

Then also works as a small word at the start of a sentence to react or conclude:

• A: I don't feel well. B: Then stay home.
• A: We missed the bus. B: So then, let's take a taxi.
• A: Okay then, see you tomorrow.

The last example answers a question learners often ask: "Is it okay then or okay than?" It is okay then, because it means in that case or as agreed.

A two-second test to choose the right word

When you are not sure, run these tests in order.

1. Is something being compared? Look for more, less, -er (bigger, faster) or rather. If yes, use than.
2. Can you replace it with "next"? We ate, then we left works as We ate, next we left. If yes, use then.
3. Can you replace it with "at that time" or "in that case"? If yes, use then.
4. If it still sounds wrong, read the sentence aloud. Than has a short, quiet sound in a sentence.

Look at these pairs:

• Wrong: My new job pays better then my old one.
• Right: My new job pays better than my old one.
• Wrong: First we visited the museum, than we had lunch.
• Right: First we visited the museum, then we had lunch.
• Wrong: If you finish early, than you can go home.
• Right: If you finish early, then you can go home.

For the last one: if … then is a pair, so then is correct. If you see the word if earlier in the sentence and a result after the comma, you almost always need then.

Pronunciation: how then and than sound

Learners also ask about the difference in pronunciation between "then" and "than". Both begin with the voiced th sound, as in this. The vowel is what changes.

• then sounds like THEN, with the same vowel as ten or men.
• than sounds like THAN (the vowel of man) when you say it alone or stress it. In a normal sentence it is usually weak and short, close to "thun", so taller than me sounds like "taller thun me".

Because than is usually weak in a sentence, it is often hard to hear. This is one reason learners confuse the spelling. Say the sentence in your head with the stress on the important words (taller, me) and let than pass quickly.

Practise these with a clear voiced th each time:

• "This is bigger than that." (weak than)
• "First this, then that." (clear then)

If the voiced th is difficult, our guide to the TH sound shows how to place your tongue. For a fuller picture of weak forms and the schwa, see the schwa sound page.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

These are the errors teachers see most often.

• Using then for comparisons: "She is smarter then me." Fix: than.
• Using than for sequence: "We ate, than we left." Fix: then.
• Mixing them in fixed phrases: more than, less than, rather than and other than always use than. Back then, by then, until then and since then always use then.
• Missing the second half of a comparison: "I like tea more than." Add what you compare: "I like tea more than coffee."
• Writing "than" in if-then rules: always then.

A proofreading habit: after you write a draft, search for than and then and test each one. It takes under a minute and catches most errors. This is especially useful in emails and exam answers, where a quick mistake is easy to miss.

Typing on a phone makes this worse, because autocorrect can replace one word with the other. Read your message once before you send it.

Practice quiz: then or than?

Choose the correct word. Answers are below the list.

1. My brother is older ___ me.
2. First I brush my teeth, ___ I go to bed.
3. I would rather stay home ___ go out.
4. If it rains, ___ we will cancel the picnic.
5. I didn't know her ___.
6. This film is more interesting ___ the book.
7. We were tired, so ___ we went home.
8. Nobody other ___ the manager has the key.

Answers: 1. than. 2. then. 3. than. 4. then. 5. then (at that time). 6. than. 7. then. 8. than.

To use both words in speech, make five sentences about your own life: two comparisons with than, two sequences with then, and one if … then rule. Say them aloud. If you want a partner, our English speaking practice guide shows how to build a daily routine, and an AI tutor can correct small mistakes while you talk.