Ever get stuck between “Then vs Than”? You’re not alone. “Then” and “than” are among the most commonly confused words in English. They sound similar and are spelled almost the same, but their meanings are completely different. Using the wrong one can make your sentence confusing or even incorrect.
In this post, we’ll break down the difference between then and than with simple explanations, real-life examples, and a quick way to remember which one to use.
Table of Contents
What’s the Difference Between “Then” and “Than”?
📌 Then
“Then” is usually related to time or a sequence of events.
It answers the question: When? or What happens next?
Examples:
- I’ll finish my work, then go for a walk.
- Back then, we didn’t have smartphones.
- If you’re hungry, then eat something.
📌 Than
“Than” is used for comparisons.
It answers the question: What is being compared?
Examples:
- She is taller than her brother.
- This book is better than the movie.
- I’d rather stay in than go out tonight.
Quick Trick to Remember
Think of it this way:
- “Then” = Time
- “Than” = Comparison
A simple memory hack:
“A is in than, not in then — and A stands for analysis, which you do when comparing things.”
Common Grammar Mistakes with Then vs Than
Even native speakers mix these up. Here are a few common grammar mistakes and how to fix them:
🚫 Incorrect: I’d rather read a book then watch TV.
✅ Correct: I’d rather read a book than watch TV.
🚫 Incorrect: We went to the park, than had ice cream.
✅ Correct: We went to the park, then had ice cream.
Real-Life Examples: Than vs Then in Action
Here are a few more everyday examples to see how these words function in real sentences.
With “Then”:
- First, we stopped for gas. Then, we grabbed coffee.
- I didn’t understand it back then, but I do now.
With “Than”:
- It’s colder today than it was yesterday.
- She’s more experienced than her coworkers.
Why It Matters
While writing an email, posting on social media, or crafting a resume, mixing up then and than can come off as careless. It’s one of those common grammar mistakes that’s easy to fix—and worth fixing.
Summary Table: Then vs Than
| Word | Type | Used For | Example |
| Then | Adverb | Time/Sequence | We ate dinner, then watched a movie. |
| Than | Conjunction | Comparison | He’s more intelligent than me. |
Final Thoughts
Mastering the than vs then grammar rule takes just a little awareness. Now that you know how to use then and than correctly, you’ll be less likely to fall into the trap of mixing them up.
Got more grammar questions? Explore other posts in our Grammar Guide.