Then vs Than: What’s the Difference? Meaning, Rules & Examples

Then vs Than: Then and than look and sound similar, but they have completely different meanings and grammatical jobs. Then usually relates to time, sequence, or what happens next, while than introduces a comparison.

• Then = at that time, next, afterward, or in that case
• Than = used to compare two or more things

Example: I was younger then, but I am taller than my brother now.

This guide explains the difference between then vs. than, shows you how to use each word correctly, and gives plenty of examples to help you avoid this common mistake.

Then or Than: Quick Difference

Word	Main Function	Meaning	Example
Then	Adverb	At that time; next; afterward	We ate dinner, then watched a movie.
Than	Conjunction/preposition	Used for comparison	Sarah is taller than Mia.

The easiest way to remember the difference is:

Then = time or sequence
Than = comparison

What Does “Then” Mean?

Then usually refers to a time, sequence, or consequence.

It can mean at that time, next, after that, or in that case, depending on the sentence.

1. Then Means “At That Time”

Use then when talking about a particular time in the past or future.

Examples:

• I lived in London then.
• We did not know each other then.
• She was only ten then.
• Things were different then.
• I will be busy then.

Here, then points to a specific time.

2. Then Means “Next”

Use then to show the next step in a sequence.

Examples:

• First, wash your hands, then prepare the food.
• Finish your homework, then you can play.
• We went to the restaurant and then walked home.
• Open the box, then remove the instructions.
• She took a shower and then went to bed.

In these examples, then means something like next or after that.

3. Then Means “Afterward”

Then can describe something that happens after another event.

Examples:

• We had lunch and then left.
• He finished his work and then called me.
• She graduated and then started her career.
• They visited Paris and then traveled to Rome.

4. Then Can Mean “In That Case”

Sometimes then means if that is true or in that situation.

Examples:

• If you are tired, then you should rest.
• If that’s your decision, then I respect it.
• If we leave now, then we can arrive before dark.
• If you don’t want it, then give it to someone else.

Explore More: https://wordminto.com/affect-or-effect/

What Does “Than” Mean?

Than is used when you compare people, objects, actions, quantities, or qualities.

It often follows a comparative word such as:

• better
• bigger
• smaller
• faster
• slower
• older
• younger
• more
• less
• fewer
• stronger
• easier

Examples

• My car is faster than yours.
• This test is easier than the last one.
• Emma is older than Jake.
• I have more books than you.
• This option costs less than the other one.
• Walking is healthier than sitting all day.

Whenever you are making a comparison, than is usually the correct choice.

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Then vs. Than Examples

Compare these sentences:

Then

We finished dinner and then went home.

Here, then describes what happened next.

Than

My house is closer than yours.

Here, than introduces a comparison.

Another pair:

I was happier then.

Then = at that time.

I am happier than I was before.

Than = comparison.

Then or Than: How to Remember the Difference

A simple memory trick can make this distinction much easier.

Think “Time” for Then

Both then and time relate to events or moments.

Then → Time

If you are talking about when something happened or what happens next, use then.

First we eat, then we leave.

Think “Comparison” for Than

Than appears when you compare two things.

My laptop is faster than yours.

So remember:

Then = time/sequence
Than = comparison

Explore More: https://wordminto.com/layed-or-laid/

Common Uses of “Then”

Here are some of the most common ways to use then.

Then for Past Time

I was living in New York then.

Then for Future Time

I will call you then.

Then for Sequence

First, mix the ingredients, then bake the cake.

Then for Consequence

If you know the answer, then tell us.

Then for “After That”

She finished the book and then wrote a review.

Common Uses of “Than”

Use than when comparing:

People

John is taller than Mark.

Objects

This phone is cheaper than that one.

Actions

Running is harder than walking.

Quantities

We need more time than we expected.

Qualities

The new design is better than the old one.

Preferences

I would rather stay home than go out.

Explore More: https://wordminto.com/lay-or-lie/

Common Mistakes With Then and Than

Because the two words sound similar in casual speech, people often confuse them in writing.

Mistake 1: Using “Then” for a Comparison

❌ My car is faster then yours.

✅ My car is faster than yours.

The sentence compares two cars, so use than.

Mistake 2: Using “Than” for Sequence

❌ First, finish your work, than go home.

✅ First, finish your work, then go home.

The sentence describes what happens next, so use then.

Mistake 3: “Better Then”

❌ This version is better then the old one.

✅ This version is better than the old one.

Better than is a comparison.

Mistake 4: “And Than”

❌ We had dinner and than watched TV.

✅ We had dinner and then watched TV.

The second action follows the first, so then is correct.

Explore More: https://wordminto.com/sometime-vs-some-time/

Then vs. Than in Questions

The same distinction applies to questions.

Then

What happened then?

Here, then refers to a time or point in a sequence.

Than

Is this better than that?

Here, than introduces a comparison.

Then vs. Than in Everyday Sentences

Here are more examples:

1. I was younger then.
2. She arrived and then called me.
3. This book is better than that one.
4. He is taller than his brother.
5. First, finish the report, then send it.
6. I had more time then.
7. This route is shorter than the other one.
8. We ate breakfast and then left.
9. My new phone is faster than my old one.
10. If you agree, then we can start.

“Than” After Comparative Adjectives

One of the most important grammar patterns is:

Comparative adjective + than

Examples:

• taller than
• shorter than
• faster than
• slower than
• older than
• younger than
• stronger than
• weaker than
• easier than
• harder than

Examples

Maria is taller than Anna.

This exercise is easier than the previous one.

My new computer is faster than my old computer.

“Than” With More and Less

Than also follows more, less, fewer, and similar comparative expressions.

Examples

• I need more than five minutes.
• She earns more than I do.
• This costs less than $20.
• We received fewer than 100 applications.
• He spends more time studying than playing games.

“Then” in Instructions

Then appears frequently in instructions because it shows the order of actions.

Example

First, turn on the computer. Then, open your browser. Then, log into your account.

Here, each then tells the reader what to do next.

More examples:

• Add the flour, then mix everything together.
• Click the button, then select your account.
• Read the question, then choose the best answer.
• Save the document, then close the program.

Then vs. Than in Formal Writing

The distinction remains exactly the same in academic, professional, and formal writing.

Correct

The results were significantly higher than those reported previously.

The researchers collected the samples and then analyzed them.

Incorrect

The results were significantly higher then those reported previously.

The researchers collected the samples and than analyzed them.

Using the wrong word can change the grammatical meaning of the sentence.

Then vs. Than: A Simple Test

When you are unsure, ask yourself a question.

Is the sentence about time or sequence?

If yes, use then.

We went shopping and then went home.

Is the sentence comparing two things?

If yes, use than.

Shopping online is easier than shopping in stores.

This quick test works in most everyday situations.

Then or Than: Practice Exercise

Choose then or than in each sentence.

1. My brother is taller ___ me.
2. We finished dinner and ___ watched a movie.
3. I was much younger ___.
4. This task is easier ___ I expected.
5. First, read the instructions, ___ begin the exercise.
6. She has more experience ___ I do.
7. What happened ___?
8. The blue car is faster ___ the red car.
9. He took a shower and ___ went to bed.
10. I would rather walk ___ wait for the bus.

Answers

1. than
2. then
3. then
4. than
5. then
6. than
7. then
8. than
9. then
10. than

Then or Than: Quick Comparison Chart

If you mean…	Use
At that time	then
Next	then
After that	then
In that case	then
A comparison	than
More than	than
Less than	than
Better than	than
Faster than	than
Rather than	than

People Also Ask

Final Takeaway

The difference between then and than is simple once you focus on their functions.

Then relates to time, sequence, or consequence:

First we eat, then we leave.

Than introduces a comparison:

This restaurant is cheaper than the other one.

Remember the rule:

THEN = TIME / NEXT
THAN = COMPARISON

When you see a comparison such as better than, faster than, more than, less than, older than, use than.

When you describe what happened next, afterward, or at a particular time, use then.