Then and than look almost the same, and the single vowel decides the meaning. Then with an e is about time: we ate, then we left. Than with an a is the comparison word: taller than her brother.
The sound is different too. Than has the short a of cat, and then has the e of pen. The spelling follows the sound, so saying the word aloud is a useful check.
This page gives the time test and the comparison test, then asks 15 questions. Every answer names the job of the word in the sentence.
What each word means
then
then (adverb): at that time, next in order, or in that case. "We were young then." "We ate, then we left." "If you are busy, then I will go."
than
than (conjunction and preposition): used after a comparative to introduce the second item. "She is taller than me."
The rule
Then is about time and order
- At that time: "Life was harder then."
- Next in a sequence: "We cooked, then we ate." It often follows and.
- In that case: "If it rains, then we will stay inside."
- Then can also mean at that time in the future or past: "By then, the shop was closed."
Than compares
- Than follows a comparative adjective or adverb: taller than, better than, more expensive than.
- Than introduces the second part of the comparison: "It is easier than I thought."
- Fixed pairs: would rather X than Y, sooner than, other than, no more than.
- After than, a pronoun can be the subject or object form: "She is taller than I am" and "She is taller than me" are both heard.
The two tests
- Can you replace the word with next or at that time? Use then.
- Does the sentence compare two things after more, less, -er or rather? Use than.
- Listen to the vowel. Than rhymes with man, and then rhymes with pen.
- If a comparative word appears before the space, the answer is almost always than.
Traps in writing
- Better late than never uses than because it compares late and never.
- And then joins two actions in time. And than is almost never correct.
- In if...then sentences, then signals the result: "If you know, then say so."
- The phrase back then is about the past: "Back then, we had no phones."
How to remember
The trick: Then tells the time; than compares. If next fits, write then. If compared with fits, write than.
Examples
- We had lunch, and then we went home.Then shows the next action in time.
- She is taller than her brother.Than follows the comparative taller.
- Life was simpler then.Then means at that time in the past.
- This book is better than the film.Better is a comparative, so than introduces the second item.
- If you are tired, then rest.Then introduces the result of the condition.
- He arrived later than expected.Later is a comparative adverb, so than is correct.
- First we shop; then we cook.Then marks the second step in the sequence.
- I would rather walk than wait for the bus.Would rather pairs with than in the comparison.
Common mistakes
- Wrong: She is taller then me. Right: She is taller than me.
- Taller is a comparative, so the comparison word than is needed.
- Wrong: We ate, than we left. Right: We ate, then we left.
- The sentence describes the next action in time, so then is correct.
- Wrong: This is more expensive then that. Right: This is more expensive than that.
- More expensive compares two things, so than is correct.
- Wrong: If you know, than say so. Right: If you know, then say so.
- The result of the condition uses then.
- Wrong: Better late then never. Right: Better late than never.
- The proverb compares late and never, so it uses than.
Practice drill
Answer all 15 questions. Each answer is marked at once, and the rule is explained under the question.
We had lunch, and ___ we went home.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. then The sentence shows the next action in time, so then is correct.
She is taller ___ her brother.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. than Taller is a comparative, so the comparison word than is needed.
Life was simpler ___.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. then The meaning is at that time in the past, so then is correct.
This book is better ___ the film.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. than Better compares the book and the film, so than is correct.
If you are tired, ___ rest.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. then The result of the condition uses then, meaning in that case.
He arrived later ___ expected.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. than Later is a comparative adverb, so than introduces the comparison.
First we shop; ___ we cook.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. then Then marks the next step in the sequence.
I would rather walk ___ wait for the bus.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. than Would rather pairs with than to compare two choices.
Prices are higher ___ last year.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. than Higher is a comparative, so than compares this year with last year.
Back ___, we had no phones.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. then Back then is a fixed phrase meaning at that time in the past.
She earns more ___ her husband.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. than More is a comparative, so than introduces the second person.
Finish your work; ___ you can play.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. then Then shows the next event in time after the work is finished.
It is easier ___ I thought.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. than Easier is a comparative, so than introduces the comparison.
If it rains, ___ we will stay inside.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. then The result of the condition uses then, meaning in that case.
He is two years older ___ me.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. than Older is a comparative, so than compares the two ages.
Questions learners ask
Should I write than me or than I?
Both appear. "She is taller than I am" is the full formal clause, and "she is taller than me" is the common spoken form. In careful writing, keep the verb: than I am. In speech, than me is normal.
Why does if go with then?
The pair if...then shows a condition and its result: "If it rains, then we will stay inside." Then means in that case. The word is optional in modern English, but it makes the logic clear.
How can I stop mixing them up?
Read the sentence aloud and listen to the vowel. Then rhymes with pen and talks about time. Than rhymes with man and follows a comparison word such as more, less or -er. The sound usually gives the answer before the rule does.
More confusing words
Affect vs effect
Affect is the action and effect is the result. If the or an fits in front of the word, effect is the one you need.
Borrow vs lend
Borrow means you receive and give back. Lend means you give and get back. The preposition from and the person after the verb tell you which one to use.
Fewer vs less
Fewer goes with plural countable nouns, like fewer cars. Less goes with uncountable nouns and measurements, like less traffic.
Browse all the confusing word pairs or take the free A1 to C2 level test to find your starting point.