Then is mainly an adverb, often used to situate actions in time. For example, you wake up in the morning and then have breakfast. It’s also used in if … then constructions such as, “If you wake late, then you might have to skip breakfast.” It also works as a noun meaning that time (e.g., “I wanted breakfast, but then was not a good time”) and as an adjective meaning at that time (e.g., “My then boyfriend was not an early riser”).
Than is a conjunction used mainly in making comparisons—e.g., “My breakfast is better than yours”; “I make breakfast differently than you do.”
To help distinguish between the two words, remember that than has no one-word synonyms. It is a one-of-a-kind word. To illustrate, try thinking of a single word to replace than in “My breakfast is better than yours.” There isn’t one. Then, in contrast, has many synonyms and often bears replacement with an equivalent word or phrase. For instance, “I woke up and then had breakfast” can become “I woke up and subsequently had breakfast.” The exception is in if … then constructions, where the then is usually required. But for these situations, just remember that then, not than, is the correct spelling of the word often paired with if.
“Differently than”!! Never. The word “from” goes with “different” or “differently”, “different to” is barely acceptable, but “different than” is shocking English. Please fix your example above.
That’s a subject for a different post.
“my breakfast is better than yours”
Could translate to:
“My breakfast is better in comparison to yours.”
No?
Good point. We’ll rethink that paragraph.
Also let’s not forget, My breakfast is superior to yours, trumps yours… I’m sure the list goes on.
But those are one-word replacements for the whole phrase, not just for the word “than.” Obviously, “my breakfast is better trumps yours” doesn’t work.
But if we are talking about proper grammer than trumps (being a slang term) is not acceptable anyway. True?
*then.
One word replacement does not mean “in comparison” last time I helped my preschool grandchild with her numbers that would be ….one, two words!
True, and hopefully desirable.
Lol, second time today on this site I scrolled down to make a comment that was already made! “In comparison to” or “in contrast to” both work as a substitute for ‘than’, but they both also kind of define what ‘than’ means in the first place. It is interesting to note that the word ‘than’ is a unique word that has no synonyms (other than the phrases we just mentioned) and it would be a shame to have that paragraph removed. Maybe just change ‘word or phrase’ to just ‘word’? I don’t think there is any single word replacement for than…
What was your point?
Well, if I eat my breakfast first and then I eat your breakfast, my breakfast may then be better than yours! This language is so confusipating!
My breakfast is better versus yours…
Versus = against
Thus you are saying “My breakfast is better against yours”
Against does not replace Than and neither does Versus
who cares
“in comparison to” isn’t a single-word replacement
Well your all write. HAHAHA!!! You see what I did their? HAHA!!! I can keep the up alot. HAHA!!!
Dumbest thing I’ve ever heard…
-_-
simply put if the phrase has a time related componant you use “Then”. If on the phrase has a comparitive nature you use “Than”. It really is that simple.
How about, “I like to go to bed no later than 8pm.” That’s time-related…
That implies, THEN, after 8, you are prone to be prone.
There is still a comparison, as in “no later” is in reference to a time which you are comparing to “8pm”.
Yet i keep seeing “my house is bigger THEN yours”. English is not my mother tonge (quoting Rammstein) so i wasn’t sure it was correct or not. I just sounds wrong
Younger American English speakers were not taught to as rigorous a standard as were their (perhaps elderly) elders. Grade inflation in schools has also allowed a certain slovenliness in thinking which often extends into their speech and writing. This has resulted in an undiscriminating ear which allows them to think “then” is the same as “than”. It is also a “condition” of their minds which makes it all too easy for them to misunderstand what someone has said. Since attention span may also be affected, they’re quick to assume ill intent on the part of a speaker and jump to wrong conclusions. Given their general lack of respect for elders and no one among their peers with the will and reason to correct them, only continued and deepening societal chaos and barbarity await us all.
very well explained.
My breakfast is better with yours.
If you feel uncomfortable with this THAN? THEN? I will ask someone else.
That’s an “if … then” construction, so “then.”
I really love these articles!
This lesson is needed more today than/then? ever, teachers like this are needed more than/then? ever. ???
That’s a comparison, so “than”.
What about: “I like to go to bed no later ______ 10pm.”
I know that it should be “than,” but it has that time element by which everybody is dictating the usage of “then.”
Just because it has a time element doesn’t mean it’s automatically “then”. It would be “than”.
Wow!! That is the best trick for remembering when to use Than vs Then. Thank you so much!!
In the context of comparing a new engine vs an old engine. Would someone say “Budget for the new engine (then/than)?”
Then, then rather than than?
hmmm – now this is a different-meaning synonym, ‘ergo’ or ‘thus’. Honestly, let’s get out of the weeds & simplify the difference. If ‘then’ connotes time, just substitute the rhyming, time-relative term ‘when’. Simpler is better. When you read someone misusing the other, ask “Exactly WHEN do you intend to use ‘then’; sooner rather than or later?”
I really don’t recall people having trouble and switching up “then” and “than” until very recently. Maybe because it is something I see online and becomes very apparent when seeing people use them in writing…in speech I suppose the pronunciation is similar enough to not notice in passing. I have to admit it is a pet peeve of mine though!
I believe you’re right. It does seem that the internet has exposed a widespread preexisting issue. Although by no means a grammarian, I do find it somewhat surprising and annoying that so many people in the English speaking world have such ignorance of basic English. Perhaps if more internet users took time out to read – and enjoy – a good novel once in a while, it would achieve more positive results than websites like this.
yeah but you have to remember there is American English, and England English. it is very different
If “if” precedes than, than “then” is used?
You used “than wrong here.
I’d rather go earlier than later. That could confuse people no?
Wouldn’t “I’d rather go earlier then later” mean, “I would like to go earlier and then I would like to go later.”
My understanding is that using the word “then” means that you’re referring to when something is going to happen. You can compare your thoughts about time using the word “than” but it is still a comparison. It’s about what you would rather do, or a comparison of your thoughts on time. If you said “I would rather go earlier, then later”, it’s ABOUT a time but also about WHAT time you want to do something.
If you say “I would rather go earlier than later” you’re just talking about what you would rather do and basically comparing the two options.
Isn’t it easier to just remember that “than” is only used for comparisons and “then” is used for everything else?
Remi! I sure hope you found this rather easily and now here is your real PUZZLE! What do people do when they “Make an Ass out of You and Me”? I find this one funny! I hope you have more luck than others will. Also, put a 11 on the end of it! Good Luck!
What about the following example? Than or then?
Turn your assignments in no later than/then
Friday afternoon.
than
Really helpful article, Now my concept about “then” and “than” is clear.
Great examples! I’m still having trouble and hoping someone here can help with a sentence question regarding then or than. The sentence: I couldn’t begin to imagine a deeper love possible ________ what I had for massage, until I used my feet.
It’s a comparison, so “than”.
i understand but dont feel the need to demonstrate my grammar ;)
And what if you continue a conversation using this word. like this: “So, you’re a proffessional, then”.
what word would you use? I think “then” because in my mother tonger (Hebrew) I would translate it as the word “אז” which is the same word I’ll use in this sentence: “you wake up in the morning and then have breakfast”
There are substitutes for than. My sandbox is bigger than your sandbox. My sandbox is bigger compared to your sandbox.
He very clearly states “There are no ONE WORD substitutions for ‘than’.”
I don’t even consider them to have the same pronunciation.
Cheesh! I’ve always confused the two. I before e except after c makes as much sense. Gotta love American language. :D