Then vs Than – Time or Comparison?
Then and than are easy to mix up, but they have different meanings.
Quick Rule
- then relates to time – what happens next or at that moment.
- than is used for comparisons.
When to Use “then”
Use then when you are talking about what happens next, a sequence of events, or a specific time.
- We went to the market, and then we had lunch.
- Finish your homework, and then you can play.
- Back then, there were no smartphones.
When to Use “than”
Use than to compare two things.
- She is taller than her brother.
- This book is more interesting than that one.
- I would rather stay home than go out.
Ready to Practise?
Check your understanding with a quick quiz: