Sentences using the word then and than

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.

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?

Did this article help you?

It might be because the words are pronounced similarly that then and than are often confused by English learners. Let’s take a look at the difference.

Then

Then is used either as a time expression, as a consequence or with a sequence of events.

Then Examples:

As a time expression — Sorry I missed your call last night, I was already sleeping then.

As a consequence/result — Eat now, then you won’t be so hungry later.

As a sequence marker — First boil the water, then add the noodles.

Than

Than is not related to time, it is a conjunction. Than is used in the comparative form i.e. in comparative statements when comparing two things.

Than Examples:

You are older than I am.

She was later than usual.

That was much better than I was expecting.

A simple trick to help you remember the difference is that then is a time word like when. Both of these words are have an e in them. If you are talking about time, use the e word then.

Now decide if these sentences need then or than:

• 1 — These recipes are healthier ___ mine.
  
• 2 — The movie will end no later ___ midnight.
  
• 3 — Tell me your test score, ___ I will tell you mine!
  
• 4 — Summers seemed longer ___.
  
• 5 — This meeting, ___, is over.
  
• 6 — The weather was much better ___ I thought it would be.
  
• 7 — I don’t like crowds so I’d rather visit the countryside ___ the city.
  

There’s nothing more embarrassing then correcting someone’s language only to realize that your correction contains its own error. Like maybe the one in our first sentence. Did you see it? That harmless little four-letter word then. It should have been than.

People get tripped up on then and than all the time—and why not? They look and sound so similar, and both words function as linguistic workhorses—then is most often an adverb, while than is usually a conjunction—which means that we mostly use them to connect more obviously significant nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Keeping ‘Then’ and ‘Than’ Separate

The way to keep the pair straight is to focus on this basic difference: than is used when you’re talking about comparisons; then is used when you’re talking about something relating to time.

Than is the word to choose in phrases like smaller than, smoother than, and further than. And it’s the word that follows other, rather, less, and more.

Then—the option to choose when time is involved—fits in the phrases just then and back then, and after words like since and until. It’s also in the phrases and then some, every now and then, and even then.

In a handful of cases, though, than is used to say that something happens immediately after something else—that is, it’s used when you’re talking about something relating to time. So in «No sooner had I explained the rule than an exception came to mind,» it’s than not then that’s required. And also in hardly had I explained it than and scarcely had I explained it than. (Sorry…)

So when did this pair get so confusing? Turns out they’ve always been that way. Linguistically speaking, they’re identical twins. In Middle English, they were the same word; both spellings were used for all the various meanings. It’s been a few hundred years, however, since English has treated them as distinct, which means we have to too. We could go back to Middle English, but we think that would be harder then—um, that is, harder than—mastering these.

More Commonly Confused Words

• ‘They’re’ vs. ‘There’ vs. ‘Their’
• ‘Who’ vs. ‘Whom’
• ‘Affect’ vs. ‘Effect’
• ‘Further’ vs. ‘Farther’

1 My school is bigger than this school.

2 You look thinner than the last time I saw you.

3 Some people think that watching sport is more boring than playing it.

4 The Volga is the longest river in Europe.

5 Ethan is much worse at German than Jake.

6 Do you think this exercise is the most difficult in the book?

7 That’s the silliest thing you’ve said today.

Spain isn’t as big as the US.

A kilo of sugar is as heavy as a kilo of iron.

To become a doctor,philosophy is less important than anatomy.( или is not as important as anatomy).

Jamie isn’t as old as Brad.

I am as good as my best friend at Maths .

Playing tennis is less dangerous ( isn’t as dangerous as parachuting) than parachuting.

It is too high to climb Mt.Everest.

He isn’t old enough to watch that horror film.

My legs aren’t strong enough to run a marathon.

I don’t have enough money.

She is too young to drive.

It isn’t warm enough.

It is too slow.