Differences between Than and Then
Contents
Than vs. Then[edit]
Than and then are two commonly confused English words due to their similar spelling and pronunciation.[1][2] However, they serve distinct grammatical functions and are not interchangeable.[3] Than is used to make comparisons, while then relates to time or sequence.[4]
Historically, both words derive from the same Old English word, þanne or þonne, which could denote both time and comparison. The[5] spellings were not consistently differentiated until approximately the 18th century.
[2]=== Comparison Table ===
| Category | Than | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Conjunction, Preposition | Adverb, Adjective, Noun |
| Primary Function | Used to introduce the second element or clause in a comparison. | Used to indicate a point in time or the next event in a sequence. |
| Example Sentence (Comparison) | "She is taller than her brother." | N/A |
| Example Sentence (Time/Sequence) | N/A | "First, I went to the store, and then I got gas." |
| Example Sentence (Consequence) | N/A | "If you eat your vegetables, then you can have dessert." |
| Example Sentence (Adjective) | N/A | "The then-president delivered a speech." |
Common Confusion and Mnemonics[edit]
The confusion between than and then is a frequent error. The words can sound alike in rapid speech, contributing to the mistake. A[3] simple mnemonic device is to associate the letter "a" in than with the "a" in "comparison". Similarly, the letter "e" in then can be linked to the "e" in "time".
Grammatical Functions[edit]
Than[edit]
As a conjunction or preposition, than is used with comparative adjectives and adverbs such as "more", "less", "better", or "older" to compare two things. It introduces the element to which the comparison is being made.
- My car is older than yours.
- I would rather stay home than go to a party.
- The movie was more entertaining than I expected.
In some constructions like "no sooner...than," it is used to indicate that one event occurred immediately after another.
Then[edit]
Then primarily functions as an adverb that situates events in time. It can mean "at that time" (referring to the past or future), "afterward", or "next in order".
- [2] Back then, children played outside more often.
- [3] Finish your homework, and then you can watch TV.
It[3] is also used to show a logical consequence, often in "if...then" constructions.
- If the roads are icy, then you should drive carefully.
Less commonly, then can be used as an adjective to mean "of that time" (e.g., "the then-secretary was more organized"). It can also function as a noun, typically after a preposition, to mean "that time" (e.g., "I will see you tomorrow, but I have a meeting before then").[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ "quora.com". Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "etymonline.com". Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "britannica.com". Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ "merriam-webster.com". Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ "editly.ai". Retrieved December 15, 2025.
