Then or Than: What’s the Correct Usage?

Then and than are both correct English words, but they have different meanings and uses. Then refers to time, sequence, or what happens next, while than is used to make comparisons between people, things, or situations. Although these words differ by only one letter and sound somewhat similar, they cannot be used interchangeably.

For example, you might say, “Finish your homework, then watch TV,” where then shows the order of actions. In contrast, “My brother is taller than me” uses than to compare two people. Knowing which word fits your sentence is important because using the wrong one can make your writing confusing or grammatically incorrect.

Understanding the difference between then and than will help you avoid common spelling mistakes in everyday conversations, emails, and academic writing. In this guide, you’ll learn their meanings, explore simple usage rules, and discover practical sentence examples to help you choose the correct word with confidence.

What Does ‘Then’ Mean?

Then is usually an adverb. It refers to a time, a sequence of events, or a result that follows something else.

• We had lunch, and then we went for a walk.
• If you finish your work, then you can play.
• She was younger then, and full of energy.
• First stir the batter, then pour it into the pan.

Then answers questions like “when?” or “what next?” It is all about order and time.

What Does ‘Than’ Mean?

Than is a conjunction used in comparisons. It introduces the second thing being compared.

• She is taller than her brother.
• This book is more interesting than the last one.
• I would rather walk than wait for the bus.
• He runs faster than anyone else in the class.

If your sentence compares two things — bigger, smaller, faster, better, more — the word you need is than.

The Memory Trick

Here is the classic trick: thAn is for compArison — both “than” and “comparison” contain the letter “a.” ThEn is for timE and sEquEnce — both “then” and “time” and “sequence” contain the letter “e.” A for comparison, E for time — one letter tells you which word to use.

Then vs Than: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Then	Than
Job	Adverb (time/order)	Conjunction (comparison)
Meaning	At that time; next; as a result	Used when comparing two things
Example	We ate, then we rested.	She is kinder than me.
Key letter	E, as in time	A, as in comparison
Test it	Does it answer “when?” or “what next?”	Is something being compared?

Common Mistakes

❌ She is smarter then me.
✅ She is smarter than me.

❌ First we studied, than we played.
✅ First we studied, then we played.

❌ I like tea more then coffee.
✅ I like tea more than coffee.

❌ If it rains, than we will stay home.
✅ If it rains, then we will stay home.

Quick Quiz

Fill in the blank with then or than in each sentence. Answers are given below.

1. This movie is funnier ______ the first one.
2. Brush your teeth, ______ get into bed.
3. He is older ______ his sister.
4. Back ______, there were no mobile phones.
5. I’d rather read ______ watch television.

Answers: 1. than | 2. then | 3. than | 4. then | 5. than

FAQ

Can “then” ever be used in a comparison?

No. Then never introduces a comparison. If you see words like “more,” “better,” “less,” “bigger,” or “rather” nearby, the word you want is almost always than.

Can “than” ever talk about time?

No. Than does not refer to time or sequence. If the sentence is about when something happened or what happened next, use then.

What about “other than” and “rather than”?

Both are fixed phrases that use than because they involve comparison or choice: “No one other than Sam knew,” and “I’d rather walk than drive.” Think comparison, think than.

Is there a sentence where both appear?

Yes, and it is a great test: “She was taller then than she is now” is wrong, but “First she was shorter, then she grew taller than her friends” is correct — then for sequence, than for comparison.

Conclusion

Keep the letter trick in mind: thAn = compArison, thEn = timE and sEquEnce. Ask yourself one question — am I comparing, or am I talking about time and order? The answer picks the word for you, every time.

Continue with these guides: To vs Too vs Two, Lose vs Loose, and On-Site or Onsite. For a deeper look at formal definitions, check the dictionary entry for than to see how the word is used in different contexts.