Today, we’ll clear up (=clarify/explain) one of the most common mix-ups in English: the difference between then and than.
These two little words look and sound similar, but their meanings and uses are worlds apart (=very different).
Got two minutes to read? Of course, you do!
Table of Contents
Then
🕰️ 🏆 Use then to talk about time, sequences, or results.
💭 Think: “What happens next?”
Examples:
I finished my homework, and then I went to bed. (sequence)
Back then, we didn’t have smartphones. (a point in time)
If you don’t study, then you might fail the test. (cause and effect)
💡 Tip: Replace “then” with “next” or “at that time” in your sentence. If it still makes sense, you’ve got the right word!
Then = time, sequence, results
Than = comparisons
Than
🔁 Use than when you’re comparing two things.
💭 Think: “Which is better, faster, or stronger?”
Examples:
She’s taller than her brother.
I’d rather stay home than go out in the rain.
Chocolate is better than vanilla.
💡 Tip: If you’re comparing two things, it’s than, not then.
Do you already know this?
How To Remember The Difference
Then has an e, like sequence.
Than has an a, just like the word comparison.
💡 Quick Quiz!
Then or than?
We went to the cinema, and ___ we grabbed dinner.
She runs faster ___ her classmates.
First, wash your hands; ___ you can start cooking.
I like tea more ___ coffee.
💡 QUICK QUIZ answers:
We went to the cinema, and then we grabbed dinner.
She runs faster than her classmates.
First, wash your hands; then you can start cooking.
I like tea more than coffee.
Over To You!
Leave a comment below with your own sentence using then or than! We’ll tell you if it’s correct 🙂
