Than vs Then: How to Use These Words Correctly in Every Context

Last Updated on April 21, 2025 by Johnny Peter

Mixing up “than” and “then” is one of the most common mistakes in English grammar. These two words might seem quite similar, but their functions are completely different. 

Whether you’re an English learner or a native speaker, getting these words right is essential to communicate effectively. Misusing them can make your writing or speech sound unprofessional and confusing.

If you’ve ever wondered why it’s “I would rather go swimming than go hiking,” but “I’ll call you then,” you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about when to use “than” vs “then”, share common mistakes people make, and even dive into the etymology of these words. 

By the end of this guide, you’ll confidently know when to use than and when to use then in any situation.

The Core Difference: Than vs Then

The confusion between “than” and “then” often arises because they sound very similar, and they also share some overlapping uses in everyday speech. However, they serve different grammatical purposes. Here’s the clear distinction:

“Than”: The Comparison Conjunction

• Than is a conjunction. It’s used to compare two or more things, qualities, or actions. You can think of “than” as the bridge that connects two ideas in a comparative context.
  
• Example: “She is smarter than me.”
  
• Quick Tip: If you’re comparing something (size, intelligence, speed, quantity, etc.), you’re probably going to use “than”.
  

“Then”: The Time/Sequence Adverb

• Then is an adverb. It is used to indicate time, sequence, or consequence. It helps to show when something happens, the order of events, or a result that follows from something else.
  
• Example: “First, we went to the store. Then, we grabbed lunch.”
  
• Quick Tip: If you’re talking about time or the order of things, “then” is your go-to word.
  

When to Use “Than” (with Examples)

“Than” is used when you’re comparing two things. It helps express a difference or similarity between two items, actions, or ideas. Most commonly, it’s used in comparative sentences to highlight the greater or lesser quality of one thing compared to another.

1. Comparisons: Bigger, Faster, More

“Than” is used to compare things in terms of size, quantity, or degree. Whether it’s how one object is bigger, faster, or stronger than another, “than” plays a central role.

Examples:

• “This pizza is bigger than that one.”
• “She runs faster than anyone I know.”
• “My brother is more talented than me.”

2. Showing Preference

You can also use “than” when expressing a preference for one thing over another. In these cases, “than” helps highlight which option is favored.

Examples:

• “I’d rather go to the movies than stay at home.”
• “She prefers chocolate than vanilla.”

3. No Sooner…Than

The phrase “no sooner…than” is a perfect example of using than in more complex sentences. It is often used in sentences where one action follows immediately after another.

Example:

• “No sooner had I finished my lunch than it started raining.”

4. Less Than/More Than

When talking about amounts or measurements, “than” is used in a comparative sense. You’ll see this often with numerical values, quantities, or limits.

Examples:

• “He earns more than $100,000 a year.”
• “This task will take less than an hour to finish.”

When to Use “Then” (with Examples)

Unlike than, “then” is used when talking about time, sequence, or consequence. It’s a useful tool for laying out a timeline or describing the order in which events happen.

1. Time and Moments in the Past

“Then” is often used when talking about a specific time in the past or future. It helps you set a point of reference for when something occurred.

Examples:

• “I went to the park then I went to the store.”
• “Back then, I didn’t have a smartphone.”

2. Sequential Actions or Events

“Then” also serves to show the order of events. It tells us what happens after something else.

Examples:

• “First, I will complete my homework; then, I’ll go out with my friends.”
• “I graduated, and then I found a job.”

3. Cause and Effect

Another function of then is to describe a result or consequence. If something happens, then another thing happens as a result.

Examples:

• “If you finish your work, then you can take a break.”
• “He didn’t study, and then he failed the test.”

Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

One of the main reasons people get confused between than and then is that these words often have similar sounds and can sometimes be used in common phrases. Here are some of the most frequent mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. More Then vs More Than

This is probably the most frequent mistake. You’ll often hear or see people using more then when they actually mean more than. Remember, “than” is always used in comparative contexts.

Incorrect: “I have more then enough money.” Correct: “I have more than enough money.”

2. Rather Then vs Rather Than

Another frequent error occurs when people use then instead of than in phrases expressing preference. The correct phrase is always “rather than”.

Incorrect: “I would rather then go hiking.” Correct: “I would rather than go hiking.”

3. Using Then Instead of Than in Comparisons

Sometimes, people accidentally swap than for then in sentences that are comparing two things. This is incorrect because “then” relates to time or sequence, not comparisons.

Incorrect: “She is smarter then him.” Correct: “She is smarter than him.”

Tricky Phrases Explained

Let’s now look at a few tricky phrases where people often make mistakes:

Other Than vs Other Then

• Other Than is used when you want to talk about something except or different from the current subject.
  
  • Example: “There’s no one other than me who could finish this task.”
    
• Other Then is incorrect. The word then doesn’t fit in this context, and other than is always the correct phrase.
  

More Than vs More Then

• More Than is correct when you’re talking about comparisons. It’s used to describe an amount or degree that’s greater than another.
  • Example: “She has more than 20 books.”
• More Then is a common mistake but doesn’t exist in proper English. Always use more than for comparisons.

Rather Than vs Rather Then

• Rather Than expresses a preference for one thing over another.
  • Example: “I would rather than stay home and read.”
• Rather Then is incorrect. The phrase “rather then” has no valid meaning in English.

Etymology: Where Did “Than” and “Then” Come From?

The history of these words can give us some fascinating insights into their current uses. Both than and then come from Old English, but they evolved differently in terms of meaning.

Etymology of “Than”

The word than originates from the Old English word þonne, which was used in comparisons. It’s also related to the German word dann, which also means “then.” Over time, its role became more focused on comparisons between things, which is how we use it today.

Etymology of “Then”

The word then comes from the Old English word þanne, which was used to describe time or events that occurred at a particular moment. Over centuries, this meaning expanded to include consequences and sequences, which is why we use it in sentences like “First this, then that.”

Final Recap: Never Confuse Them Again

In summary:

• “Than” is used to make comparisons. It’s used to highlight the difference or similarity between two things (e.g., “I’m taller than you.”).
  
• “Then” is used to indicate time, sequence, or result. It helps to show the order of events or the consequence of something (e.g., “First, I will study, then I’ll relax.”).

By mastering the distinctions between these two words, you’ll be able to speak and write more clearly, effectively, and with greater confidence.

FAQ Section (Based on Real Search Queries)

Here are some common questions people have about than vs then:

1. Is it better than or better then?

• It’s better than. “Than” is used for comparisons.

2. What does more than mean?

• More than means greater in amount or degree.
  • Example: “She has more than 10 books.”

3. Can you start a sentence with then?

• Yes, you can start a sentence with then if you’re continuing a timeline or story.
• Example: “Then he walked away without saying a word.”

4. What’s the opposite of “than”?

• “Than” is used for comparisons, so there’s no direct opposite word. But depending on the sentence, “as” or “like” might be alternatives.

5. How can I remember the difference?

• Mnemonic:
  • Then = Time (both start with T)
  • Than = Comparison (Alphabetically, A comes before E, and we compare A to B!)

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between than vs then might seem small, but it makes a big impact on your communication. Whether you’re writing a business email, a school essay, or just texting a friend, getting these little words right helps you sound smarter and clearer.