Then vs Than
Then relates to time or sequence, meaning 'next' or 'at that point': 'We had dinner, then watched a film.' Than introduces a comparison between two things: 'She is taller than her brother.' A simple test: if two things are being compared, use than; if the sentence is about order or time, use then.
The rule
Then vs than at a glance
Then
Than
- Function
- Adverb of time or sequence, next, at that point
- Conjunction/preposition of comparison
- Used for
- Ordering events, giving instructions, if-then logic
- Comparing two things, people, or amounts
- Typical partner words
- first...then, and then, back then, since then
- more/less...than, rather than, better/worse than
- Example
- We landed, then collected our bags.
- Flying is faster than taking the train.
- Spelling clue
- Then has an 'e', like when (time)
- Than has an 'a', like compare (comparison)
Which one do I need?
Then or than?
Every answer at a glance
than
Than introduces a comparison: bigger than, more than, less than, rather than, other than. Than and compare both have an 'a'.
Train fares in the UK are often higher than air fares.
then
Then puts events in order: first this, then that. Then and when both have an 'e', and both are about time.
We checked in at the hostel, then went out to find dinner.
then
Then can point to a moment in time: back then, since then, by then, every now and then.
Back then, very few people in my village owned a car.
then
In an 'if... then' sentence, then introduces the result. It is a time and sequence word, never a comparison.
If the trend continues, then car use will fall further by 2030.
How to use then vs than
What's the difference between then and than?
Then is about time and sequence, it tells you what happens next, or refers back to a particular moment: 'First we checked in, then we found our seats.' Than has nothing to do with time; it is used only to compare two things: 'The flight was cheaper than expected.'
Because the words differ by only one letter and one vowel sound, they are frequently swapped in fast writing, but their jobs never overlap, one orders events, the other measures a difference.
- We finished the exam, then went for coffee.sequence, what happened next
- The exam was harder than we expected.comparison between two difficulty levels
- The exam was harder then we expected.→ comparison needs than
How do you test which word you need?
Ask whether two things are being measured against each other. If yes (cheaper, better, faster, more, less, rather) the word is than. If the sentence is instead describing order, timing, or a consequence (if this, then that), the word is then.
A useful spelling clue: then shares its 'e' with when, both time words; than shares its 'a' with compare, both comparison words.
- If it rains, then we'll move the event indoors.if...then = logical sequence
- This route is shorter than the old one.comparing two routes
- This route is shorter then the old one.→ comparison needs than
Fixed phrases with then and than
A handful of fixed phrases use one word consistently, and memorising them prevents most mistakes. 'Rather than', 'more than', 'less than', and 'other than' always take than. 'Back then', 'since then', 'and then', 'every now and then', and 'first...then' always take then.
Learning these chunks as whole units (instead of translating word by word) is often faster than learning the underlying grammar rule alone.
- I'd rather walk than wait for the bus.'rather...than' is a fixed comparison phrase
- Back then, few people owned smartphones.'back then' is a fixed time phrase
- I'd rather walk then wait for the bus.→ rather...than
Common mistakes with then vs than
Find what is wrong in each one, then open it to check.
1My sister is older then me.What's wrong? Show the fix
My sister is older than me.
This compares two ages, so the comparison word than is needed, not the time word then.
2We booked the tickets and than packed our bags.What's wrong? Show the fix
We booked the tickets and then packed our bags.
This describes a sequence of actions, so the time word then is needed, not than.
3Nothing is more important then good health.What's wrong? Show the fix
Nothing is more important than good health.
'More important...' sets up a comparison, which always takes than.
4If you finish early, than you can leave.What's wrong? Show the fix
If you finish early, then you can leave.
'If...then' is a fixed logical sequence pattern that always uses the time word then.
Practise
Write your own
Write a sentence that uses then or than, about you, your studies or your town.
Then vs Than in IELTS
Speaking
- Comparative structures with than are a quick way to show grammatical range: 'Living in a big city is more stressful than living in a small town.' Getting than right in comparisons is an easy accuracy win.
- Use then to sequence a story clearly in Part 2: 'I packed my bags, then called a taxi, and then headed to the airport'; clear time markers help examiners follow your narrative.
Writing
- Task 2 opinion and comparison essays lean heavily on than: 'Public transport is more environmentally friendly than private cars.' Confusing it with then is a common but easily avoidable accuracy error.
- In Task 1, then can sequence stages of a process: 'The raw material is heated, then cooled, and then packaged', useful for process diagrams.