"Then" vs "Than": Time or Comparison?

Introduction: One Letter, Two Meanings

I’d rather stay than go. (comparison)

We ate, and then we left. (time)

One letter — “a” vs “e” — separates comparison from time.

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”Than” — For Comparisons

“Than” is used with comparative adjectives and adverbs:

She is taller than me.

This book is better than that one.

I’d rather walk than drive.

He earns more than his brother.

Other than English, she speaks French.

It’s easier than I thought.

Whenever you are comparing two things, use “than."

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"Then” — For Time and Sequence

“Then” refers to time — what happens next, or at a specific time:

We ate, and then we left.

If you’re tired, then rest.

Back then, things were different.

From then on, everything changed.

First add sugar, then add milk.

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Memory Trick

• Comparison → has a → than
• Time → has e → then

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Common Mistakes

Incorrect	Correct
She is taller then me.	She is taller than me.
More then enough.	More than enough.
Other then that.	Other than that.
Better then before.	Better than before.
We left, than we went home.	We left, then we went home.

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Quick Practice

1. She is smarter ______ her brother.
2. First study, ______ take a break.
3. I’d rather read ______ watch TV.
4. Back ______, life was simpler.
5. This is more expensive ______ that.

Answer Key

1. than — comparison
2. then — sequence/time
3. than — comparison (rather…than)
4. then — time (back then)
5. than — comparison

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Summary

• Than = comparison (taller than, more than, rather than)
• Then = time/sequence (first…then, back then, if…then)
• Memory: comparison has “a” → than; time has “e” → then