A good sentence with the word then

1 First think, and then speak.

2 When war begins, then hell openeth. 

3 Custom, then is the great guide of human life. 

4 First catch your hare then cook him. 

5 When war begins then hell opens. 

6 Half a loaf is better then no bread. 

7 When the fox preacheth, then beware your geese. 

8 First try, and then trust.

9 Deliberate before you begin, then execute with vigour. 

10 In delay there lies no plenty , Then come kiss me , sweet and twenty , Youth’s a stuff that will not endure . 

11 If the mountain won’t come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain. 

12 When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war. 

13 Carrion crows bewail the dead sheep and then eat them. 

14 We first make our habits, and then our habits make us. 

15 When Greek meet Greek, then comes the tug of war. 

16 If there be neither snow nor rain, then will be dear all sorts of grain. 

17 When Greeks joined Greeks,(www.Sentencedict.com) then was the tug of war. 

18 Do you love life ? Then do not squander time ; for that’s the stuff5 life is made of . 

19 If you doubt yourself, then indeed you stand on shaky11 ground. 

20 Some persons do first, think afterwards, and then repent for ever. 

21 When the oak is before the ash, then you will only get a splash; when the ash is before the oak, then you may expect a soak. 

22 We were living in Wales then.

23 The minister preaches a sermon now and then.

24 Can’t help sadness, then slowly learned to hide.

25 She started to sing,and then the others chimed in.

26 The cuckoo comes in April, and stays the month of May; sings a song at midsummer, and then goes away. 

27 We should put aside and postpone all other reforms; that we have but one task——the istruction of the people, the diffusion of education, the ecourgement of science—-on that day a great step will have then been taken in our rgenerion. 

28 When you want knowledge like you wanted air under water then you will get it. 

29 The cuckoo comes in April, and stays the month of May; sings a song at Midsummer, and then goes away. 

30 Let early education be a sort of a musement; you will then be bette able to find out the natural bent. 

Main Than vs. Then Takeaways:

• Then and than are homophones. This means that they sound almost identical when spoken but have different meanings and spellings.
• When you think of then, think of time.
• When you think of than, think of comparisons.
• Sometimes, than can be used to indicate time, but it is still typically a comparison.
• Then can be an adverb, adjective, or noun.
• Than is a conjunction.

Like affect vs. effect and to vs. too, than vs. then cause a lot of confusion. While many use these homophones interchangeably, they are not the same. Choosing the wrong word may mean that you don’t communicate your message clearly or correctly. In fact, than and then have different functions and meanings. But, there are, of course, some exceptions. Here, we’ll make sure you have everything you need to keep them straight, once and for all.

Then vs. Than Rule

Here’s the best way to tell the difference between then vs. than: associate then with time and than with comparisons. For example, use then for clarifying a sequence of events like writing a recipe or retelling a story (“We went to the supermarket and then headed home.”). Try remembering that the “e” in “then” stands for “events.”

Conversely, use than when making a comparison (“We like going to the smaller shop nearby more than going to the supermarket.”).

You might see then in a comparison, but always about time (“Back then, we were less timid than we are now.”).

Than vs. Then Exception: Comparisons About Time

There is one exception. Sometimes, than can appear in comparisons about time. But in these cases, there is still a comparison involved.

In this example, we’re dealing with time, but it’s secondary. The main function of than here remains the same: to make a comparison.

“He” is comparing his meeting time to 12 pm. He’ll be there no later than noon. In other words, other times are being compared to that one particular time-related target.

This may be confusing because we’re not drawing a 1:1 comparison between two individual things (he arrived earlier than I arrived); instead, we’re comparing one individual thing (12 pm) to a group (all times before 12 pm). Nevertheless, this is ultimately a comparison and as a result, should use then.

What Type of Word is Then?

Then usually refers to time and can function as three types of speech. First, then is usually an adverb (“If you leave, then turn off the lights”). Second, then can be an adjective (“Jackie Kennedy, then Jacqueline Onassis, studied literature“). Finally, it can be a noun (“See you then?” or “We’ll wait until then”). Conversely, than is a conjunction and is for making comparisons (“This cake is sweeter than that brownie”).

How is Then Used in a Sentence?

Then vs.than breaks down to time vs. comparisons. For instance, there are several ways to use then, and they all indicate time. Most often, then is an adverb to help clarify a sequence of events (“Wash then dry the dishes”). What’s more, then helps describe a condition and then a consequence (“If it rains, then we’ll eat inside”). Additionally, then can also be an adjective (“The then CEO”). Finally, then can be a noun (“I’ll see you then!”).

Clarify a Sequence (Adverb)

Describe the Relationship Between a Condition and Consequence (Adverb)

You could also use then to tell the reader when something caused something else to happen. Those examples typically frame the second action as a consequence of the first. In that case, you’ll probably use an if/then construction, making it clear the connection between the two actions.

Indicate a Previously Held Position (Adjective)

Remember, then can be an adjective, an adverb, or a noun. It’s most often used in sentences that are discussing time. You might be demonstrating a series of events, indicating a relationship between several actions.

Refer to Past or Future Time (Noun)

How is Than Used in a Sentence?

Than is a conjunction used for comparisons (“She is taller than I am”).However, then is an adverb, adjective, or noun related to time. A point of overlap is that than can appear in comparisons about time (“Please arrive no later than 9 a.m.”).

Overall, than is important because it helps enrich the level of clarity and detail in your writing.

When the relationship between the nouns, verbs, and adjectives in a sentence isn’t equal, you can use than to indicate that one takes precedence. This helps clarify status, physical stature, order of operations, and other important information.

Like other conjunctions, than is used to connect two clauses or two words within the same clause. Unlike other conjunctions, than is specifically used to compare and contrast.

Than helps us understand which is bigger, better, louder, or simply more favored. For example, using “than” is a good way to paint a picture of how items contrast each other.

Here are easy examples of how to use than vs. then in a sentence:

Use the phrase “other than” when describing exceptions. You can replace other than with alternatives like except for and besides.

How to use Less Than and More Than

How to use More Than in a Sentence

How to Use Less Than in a Sentence

Common Expressions: Than vs. Then

Is it Other Than or Other Then?

The correct phrase is “other than” and not “other then.” Use “other than” to indicate an exception (“Other than cats, she’s not a fan of animals”). The item or situation that comes directly after “other than” is the only example mentioned that doesn’t fit into the described scenario. In this way, this structure compares the exception to the rule. Therefore, “other than” expresses a comparison. Since we use than for comparisons and then for time, “other then” doesn’t make sense here.

Is it Well Then or Well Than?

The correct phrase is “well then“, not “well than.” Use the phrase well then to switch topics. Similarly, use this phrase to start concluding a conversation or saying goodbye (Well then, I have to go. See you tomorrow!). Moreover, if a person says something strange or interesting, the response well then indicates that you’re surprised and unsure of what else to say. For this reason, some use it sarcastically.

For instance, say your friend has a history of jumping and hitting their head. You might ask them whether they think that’s a good idea. When they reluctantly say, No…, you could respond with, Well then….?! to suggest they should know better.

If someone makes a strong display of emotion or a comment that you find surprising, provocative, or offensive comment, you might respond with well then.

Notice that because “well” is an interjection in these examples, there’s often a comma between “well” and “then.”

Is it Rather Than or Rather Then?

The correct phrase is “rather than“, not “rather then.” This is because than is most commonly used in comparisons (“He’s taller than her”) while then is more for discussing time (“Sal went to the store then stopped by the post office”). Since “rather than” compares two actions or choices, it only makes sense to use “rather than” instead of “rather then.”

Is it Older Than or Older Then?

Both “older than” and “older then” are correct. But, they are not interchangeable because they mean different things. Usually, we use then for time and than for comparisons. However, this question is confusing because both “older than” and “older then” deal with time and comparisons, but in different ways. Use “older than” to compare the age of one person to that of another person (“My sister is older than I am”). On the other hand, we use “older then” to refer to a time other than the present (“See you then!” Let’s wait a week and buy it then”).

Technically both options are correct. Which one you choose to use depends on your message and the surrounding context.

Rather than accidentally making a mistake with then or than in the future, bookmark this page and review as needed. Happy writing!

Is it Better Than or Better Then?

The answer will depend on the context of your statement. If you’re comparing two things in your sentence, then the correct phrase is “better than.” However, if you are referring to a certain time in the past as better, then “better then” is the right phrase. See examples below:

Let’s see if Then and Than Still Confuse you

Read More: What’s The Difference Between Yea, Yeah, and Yay?

English has a lot of confusing words, especially those words that look alike and sound alike. The two words I want to talk about today are no exception.

Choosing between then or than can be difficult since they are only a single letter apart and they sound pretty close to each other, but if you’re not sure which word to use and when, don’t worry. I get this question from a lot of readers.

What is the Difference Between Then and Than?

Today, I want to discuss the differences between then vs. than, their functions in a sentence, and give you a few tricks to remember them for the future. After reading this post, you shouldn’t have any trouble when choosing than or then.

When to Use Then

Then has a number of different functions, but it is most commonly used as either an adverb or an adjective. Below are a few examples of its many meanings and uses.

• At that time.
  • I was at work then.
  • Come over this afternoon; I’ll be ready then.
• Next in time, space, or order; immediately afterward.
  • We saw a movie and then went out for dinner.
  • We filled up the car and then began the trip.
• In addition; moreover; besides.
  • The glasses are $100, and then there is sales tax.
  • First you need a license, and then you can drive.
• In that case, accordingly.
  • If the weather is bad, then my flight will get canceled.
  • If there is heavy traffic, then I might be late.

All four of these uses are uses of then as an adverb. The use of then as an adjective is much more limited.

• Being so at the time.
  • The decision was made by then chairman Bill Gates.
  • The bill was signed by then President Ronald Reagan.

As you can see, most of the uses of then have to do with time. It can mean next in time or at the time. Keep this in mind for later when I give you the trick to remember.

When to Use Than

Than is a conjunction that is used for making comparisons between elements, objects, people, etc.

• He is taller than I am.
• She can run faster than I can.
• Your meal looks better than mine does.
• Coca-Cola is better than Pepsi.

In all of these examples, than is used to introduce a comparison between two things. This is important to keep in mind. No matter what you are comparing, whether it be time, money, speed, if a comparison is taking place, than is the correct word choice.

Popular Phrases Using Than

There are a few popular phrases that use than that people aren’t sure whether to use then or than. In the following phrases, than should be used.

• More than less than; less than more than. (Less then or less than?)
  • He has less than I have. (Correct)
  • He has less then I have. (Wrong).
  • She has more than I have. (Correct)
  • She has more then I have. (Wrong)

• Rather than or rather then?
  • I would rather eat than sleep. (Correct)
  • I would rather eat then sleep. (Wrong)

In the above example using rather then or than, the two sentences communicate different meanings. The first sentence says you prefer (right now at least) eating to sleeping. The second says you prefer to eat first and sleep second. So, the second sentence isn’t necessarily wrong in all meanings, it’s just wrong when your intended meaning is a comparison, not an ordered list of events.

• Sooner rather than later.
  • I would prefer to eat sooner rather than later. (Correct)
  • I would prefer to eat sooner rather then later. (Wrong)

For over 300 years, grammarians have insisted that than be regarded as a conjunction, as opposed to a preposition, in all of its uses.

This means that sentences such as Jack is taller than Jill should be construed as an elliptical version of the sentence Jack is taller than Jill is. In this sentence, the name Jill is standing in for the full clause Jill is.

In other words, the pronoun that follows than is determined by whether it serves as the subject or object of the verb “understood.”

The traditional rule, therefore, requires the sentence Jack is taller than I (not me), since the full sentence is understood to be Jack is taller than I am. But it does allow for sentences like this one, The report shocked Jack more than me, since this sentence is understood to be The report shocked Jack more than it shocked me. In this sentence Jack is acting as an object of shocked, whereas in the first sentence he was the subject.

It’s probably best to hold to this traditional rule if you are writing an academic paper for school or a book for publishing, but understand that it can lead to some cumbersome, outdated sounding language.

• He is taller than she.
• You are taller than I.

In informal writing and speech, sentences like he is smaller than her are widely used and almost universally accepted.

Remembering When to Use Then and Than

We’ve spent so much time talking about than that we almost forgot about the word then, so now it’s the time to come full circle on using then and than.

A good trick to keep track of these words is that then is usually used to indicate time. Both then and time have a letter “E” in them.

Than is used to make comparisons. Both than and comparison have a letter “A” in them.

Summary

These two words are very close in their appearance, but than vs. then have very different uses.

Then is commonly used to express a sense of time or what comes next or used to be.

Than is used to form comparisons between two things.