Than is used in comparisons, while then means “at that time” or “next, after that”. Than comes after a comparative form: older than me, more useful than a dictionary. Then is about time or the order of actions: We were students then. Finish the report, then call me.
than or then — can you pick the right one?
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comparative + than + noun/pronoun/clause; more/less + adjective + than; rather than; then = at that time; first…, then…; if…, then…
- The train is more expensive than the bus, but it takes half the time.
- We had dinner at a small café by the river, and then we walked back to the hotel.
- In 2019 I was still at university, and I didn't have a car then.
What changed
First versionMy new flat is much bigger then my old one.
RevisionMy new flat is much bigger than my old one.
In fast speech than is unstressed and sounds almost the same as then, so the two are easy to mix up in writing. After a comparative form like bigger you always need than. Only one letter has changed.
Then can also mean “in that case”, when you draw a conclusion from what someone has said. They say I'm not hungry, and you answer: Then let's just have coffee. Nothing is being compared, so than is impossible. And than isn't only used after comparative adjectives: rather than, other than, more than fifty people.
Your turn
First read all the questions carefully, and ___ start writing your answers.
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then — This is about the order of actions: first read the questions, then write the answers. The word for “after that” is then. Than is only used in comparisons, and nothing is being compared here.
Compare your life a few years ago with your life now. Use then to mean “at that time” and than in a comparison.
Five years ago I shared a flat with two friends, and my rent was much lower then than it is now.
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