Than vs. Then: Your Grammar Edge

Than and then look and sound alike, and both are used in casual conversation all the time. Because of their similarity, they can sometimes be tricky to keep straight, especially in writing.

In today’s post we’ll review the differences between than and then so you know how to use both correctly within your communications.

The Meaning of Than

Than functions as a conjunction and a preposition to indicate comparisons. It suggests that something is more or less or to a higher or lower degree than something else.

Tommy is taller than Scott.

I like pancakes more than waffles.

I would rather have a sneeze than a cough.

Understanding the function of than provides a useful way to remember when to use the word. If you are comparing one thing to another, you will want to use than instead of then.

The Meaning of Then

Then can serve a sentence as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun.

As an adverb, it often indicates the time, order, or consequence of something.

Gas was less expensive then.

Sheila reads for an hour and then goes to sleep.

If you keep driving that fast then you’re going to get a ticket.

As an adjective, it conveys the being of something at a particular time.

In 1957 the then mayor changed the village’s policies about government holidays.

As a noun, then means “that time.”

I spoke with Evelyn last month, but I have not heard from her since then.

If you remember to use than for comparisons and then for matters of time, order, and consequence, you will remain precise in your writing.

Pop Quiz

Choose the correct word in each sentence below.

1. If I’m late to class [then / than] I have to sit in the front row.

2. I didn’t vote for the mayor, but I will admit she has been better [then / than] expected.

3. Adrian was sad when he found out he had to be taller [then / than] the cartoon chipmunk to ride the roller coaster.

4. Jessica found herself in a familiar pattern: First she couldn’t sleep, and [then / than] she got up for some ice cream.

5. If I had known [then / than] what I know now, I would have started studying grammar as a child.

 

Pop Quiz Answers

1. If I’m late to class then I have to sit in the front row.

2. I didn’t vote for the mayor, but I will admit she has been better than expected.

3. Adrian was sad when he found out he had to be taller than the cartoon chipmunk to ride the roller coaster.

4. Jessica found herself in a familiar pattern: First she couldn’t sleep, and then she got up for some ice cream.

5. If I had known then what I know now, I would have started studying grammar as a child.

 

 

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