Common mistakes
Then or than: time, sequence, or comparison?
Do you write then when you compare two things? This guide separates the two words.
These two small words have different jobs. Use then for time or results and than for comparisons.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
then or than DHEN-or-dhun
The short answer
Use then for time and order, but use than to compare two things. For example, you cook first and then eat.
My bus is faster than your train.
Why it works: Use than because you compare the speed of two trips.
4 more examples
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Talking about your evening
We finished work and then went home.
Use then to show what happened next in time.
Not this:We finished work and
thanwent home. What changes: The sentence sounds like a comparison instead of a time sequence. -
Shopping for electronics
This phone is lighter than that tablet.
Use than after a comparing word like lighter.
Not this:This phone is lighter
thenthat tablet. What changes: The spelling changes a comparison into a time word. -
Making travel plans
If you miss the bus, then call me.
Use then to show the result of an action.
Not this:If you miss the bus,
thancall me. What changes: The sentence breaks because you need a result word. -
Watching a race in the park
She runs faster than me.
Use than when comparing how two people run.
Not this:She runs faster
thenme. What changes: The listener expects a next step in time instead.
Quick check
Which sentence compares the cost of two drinks correctly?
You are at a cafe with a friend.
Answer: My coffee was cheaper than yours.
Show the answer
Answer: My coffee was cheaper than yours.
Use than after a comparing word like cheaper.
Read the full guide
You are sitting in a cafe with your friend. You want to say your drink costs less money. When you write the message, you stop at the vowel. Picking the right letter keeps your message clear.
Use then for time and results
The problem: I use than when giving step-by-step directions or talking about time.
Show what happens next in your day.
We washed the dishes and then rested.
Show how two things differ in size or speed.
The bus is faster than the train.
Your turn
Cut the vegetables and ___ heat the pan. Which word fits?
Giving recipe steps to a friend
Answer: then
Show the answer
Answer: then
Use then because you are showing the next step in a recipe.
Hear the quick vowel sound
The problem: The weak sound in quick speech can make the words hard to tell apart.
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He is taller than me.
Why it works: The middle word sounds very short and weak.
-
We ate lunch, then left.
Why it works: The middle word stays clear and full.
Your turn
Which sentence has a weak, unstressed middle word?
Listening to a fast conversation
Answer: She is older than her brother.
Show the answer
Answer: She is older than her brother.
In fast speech, than is unstressed and very short.
Remember the letter in each word
The problem: I write then when I compare things because they sound almost the same to me.
-
Not this:
My apartment is smaller then yours.Say: My apartment is smaller than yours.
Use than with an a because you compare two homes.
-
Not this:
First boil water, than add rice.Say: First boil water, then add rice.
Use then with an e for the next step in time.
Your turn
Fill in the missing word to compare the two laptops.
Writing a text message about a new laptop
Answer: My new laptop is faster than my old computer.
Show the answer
Answer: than
Use than with an a after the comparing word faster.
Common word pairs you will hear
The problem: I translate the words around it from my language.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| more than | a larger amount | It cost more than ten pounds. |
| back then | at that time in the past | We lived in Spain back then. |
| until then | up to that time | The shop opens at six; wait here until then. |
| better than | higher quality | This tea is better than that coffee. |
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There were more than fifty people at the party.
Why it works: Use more than when counting numbers.
-
I was just a kid back then.
Why it works: Use back then to talk about past years.
Some comparisons leave repeated words unstated. "She arrived earlier than I did" still uses than to introduce the second side.
Your turn
Which fixed phrase means up to that time in the future?
Setting up a meeting time with a colleague
Answer: See you at four, wait until then.
Show the answer
Answer: See you at four, wait until then.
The fixed time phrase is until then.
Before you go
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence shows the correct order of two actions?
Talking about plans after school
Answer: We will finish our homework and then watch a movie.
Show the answer
Answer: We will finish our homework and then watch a movie.
Use then to show what happens next in time.
Question 2 of 3
Put the words to compare the two bags.
Comparing two suitcases at an airport
Answer: Your bag is heavier than my suitcase.
Show the answer
Answer: Your bag is heavier than my suitcase.
The comparing adjective heavier is followed by than.
Question 3 of 3 · One new sentence
Your friend asks about travel options. Which sentence is correct?
Buying a train ticket with your friend
Answer: This train is faster than the bus, so let us buy it now and then find our seats.
Show the answer
Answer: This train is faster than the bus, so let us buy it now and then find our seats.
Use than to compare speed and then for the next step.
Remember this
Never use then to compare two things. Write than with an a for comparisons, and use then for time, order, or a result.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Then or than: time, sequence, or comparison?"
What is the main difference between then and than?
Then usually refers to time, order, or what happens next. Than introduces the second part of a comparison between people, things, or amounts.
Finish your work, then call me.
This route is shorter than the other one.
How can I remember which word is used for comparisons?
Than and comparison both contain the letter a. Use than when one person or thing is compared with another.
Mina is taller than her brother.
The blue bag costs less than the red one.
Can then mean a result as well as a time?
Yes. Then can introduce a result or consequence. In an if sentence, it can mean "in that case," though some sentences omit it.
If the bus is late, then we will walk.
If you are ready, then we can begin.
Why do then and than sound similar?
Unstressed than can have a weak vowel in natural speech. Use the sentence meaning to decide whether the word marks a comparison.
We ate, then we left.
We ate earlier than they did.
What do back then and until then mean?
Back then refers to a past time. Until then means up to the time already mentioned. Both phrases use then because they refer to time.
We lived near the sea back then.
The shop opens at ten; wait here until then.
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