Then vs. Than: Meaning, Examples, and How to Choose

“Then” and “than” differ by one letter and often sound alike, but they do different jobs. Use then for a time, a next step, or a consequence. Use than to introduce a comparison or difference. In “We ate, then walked farther than we planned,” the first word moves the events along; the second compares the distance with the plan.

The distinction is about meaning, not sentence position. Once you identify what the sentence is saying, the choice is usually clear. The WordWise Hub grammar guides cover other commonly confused forms, too.

Use “then” for time, sequence, or a result

“Then” often answers when? It can mean “at that time,” as in “I was still in school then.” It can also mean “next” or “after that”: “Mina checked the address, then called the driver.” In a sentence about a future or past event, it can point to the time already mentioned: “The meeting ends at four; I’ll see you then.” These uses are described in Merriam-Webster’s entry for then.

“Then” can also connect a condition with its consequence, often in an if-then statement: “If the display flashes red, then press the reset button.” The word does not have to appear after if—“If the display flashes red, press the reset button” is also grammatical. Here, “then” means something like “in that case,” rather than a later point in time. The MLA Style Center’s guide to then and than also notes this result or inference use.

Common phrases with “then”

• and then: next in a sequence — “We packed the samples and then labeled each box.”
• back then: at a time in the past — “Back then, the trail ended at the river.”
• by then: by a specified time — “By then, the bakery should be open.”
• every now and then: occasionally — “Every now and then, the old clock chimes twice.”
• since then: from that time until now — “Since then, the team has revised its schedule.”
• until then: up to a time already mentioned — “The doors open at seven; until then, please wait outside.”
• then again: introducing a different consideration — “The walk is longer; then again, the view is worth it.”

“Then” has a few less obvious uses. In “the then captain,” it is an adjective meaning the person who held the role at the time under discussion. In “If that is settled, then we can begin,” it can signal an inference. These are still forms of time reference or consequence—not comparisons.

Use “than” for comparison or difference

Use “than” when weighing one person, thing, amount, or possibility against another. It commonly follows a comparative word such as taller, quieter, less, more, or better: “This route is shorter than the one by the lake.” “The second draft is more direct than the first.” Merriam-Webster and the MLA Style Center both describe “than” as the word used for comparisons.

A comparison may be explicit (“The blue folder is heavier than the green one”) or refer to a choice (“I would rather take the train than drive”). “Than” also appears in common phrases that express difference or exclusion, such as “other than” and “more than.” These are not all simple adjective comparisons, but “than” still introduces an alternative, amount, or point of contrast.

Common phrases with “than”

• better than: preferable or higher in quality — “A clear note is better than a vague reminder.”
• more than: greater in amount or degree — “More than twenty people signed up.”
• less than: smaller in amount or degree — “The repair took less than an hour.”
• rather than: instead of — “We met outdoors rather than in the lobby.”
• other than: apart from or different from — “No one other than Sam had the key.”
• no sooner … than: indicating that one event followed immediately after another — “No sooner had the bus stopped than the rain began.”
• easier said than done: easier to suggest than to carry out — “Changing the whole routine is easier said than done.”

The comparison word is sometimes left unstated because readers can infer it: “The blue folder is heavier than the green one” may be shortened to “The blue folder is heavier than the green.” The comparison is still present in the meaning. Pronoun choices after “than” depend on the structure and formality of the sentence; “She is taller than I am” makes the comparison explicit, while “She is taller than me” is common in ordinary conversation. For a close edit, rewrite the comparison in full if it helps make your intended meaning clear. The dictionary discusses “than” as both a conjunction and a preposition in its entry.

A quick comparison

Word	Main job	Example
then	Marks time or the next event	“We reviewed the map, then chose a path.”
then	Shows a consequence or inference	“If the gate is locked, then use the side entrance.”
than	Introduces a comparison or contrast	“The side entrance is closer than the main gate.”

A practical proofreading check

Read the sentence for its meaning rather than relying on how the words sound. Ask these questions:

1. Does the word refer to when something happens, what happens next, or what follows from a condition? Choose then. “The store closes at six, so we should arrive before then.”
2. Does it introduce a comparison, alternative, or difference? Choose than. “We arrived earlier than expected.”
3. Can you replace it with a short meaning check? Try after that or at that time for “then,” and compared with or instead of for “than.” If the sentence still says what you mean, that is useful evidence. If not, reconsider the construction.

For example, in “I would rather email than call, then wait for a reply,” than introduces the alternative (email, not call), while then introduces the later action. The same sentence can correctly contain both words.

Because the words are often pronounced alike, a pronunciation test is not a dependable proofreading rule. Context is safer: listen for the sentence’s time or order meaning versus its comparison meaning, then check the spelling. If you are editing a longer draft, the basic grammar checker may help flag issues, but review the sentence yourself—the intended meaning determines which word belongs. For more writing support, browse WordWise Hub’s writing topics or use the word counter to check a draft’s length.

The short rule to remember

Choose then for “at that time,” “next,” and “in that case.” Choose than for comparisons and contrasts, including phrases such as “rather than” and “other than.” When the choice looks uncertain, identify the relationship between the ideas in your sentence; the role of the word, not its sound, gives you the answer.