Then and Than
2021-03-13
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1This week, we answer a question from our reader Nyinye, who says:
2Hi, I keep getting confused with the words "then" and "than."
3I know that "than" is used in comparisons but in some cases used as a conjunction. I'm confused. -Nyinye
4Hello Nyinye,
5It is easy confuse the words "then" and "than."
6They look and sound very similar.
7And even some native English speakers find them troublesome.
8So here is the quickest way to remember:
9"Then" (spelled t-h-e-n) is used for time.
10"Than" (spelled t-h-a-n) is used in comparisons.
11Let's discuss each word in detail.
12We use "than" to make comparisons between two or more people or things.
13Listen to some examples:
14She can run faster than the other girls.
15I would rather order food than cook again.
16The first example is a simple and clear comparison.
17The second may be a little less clear.
18But it does compare two choices: ordering food and cooking.
19What may cause some people trouble are expressions like "no later than" and "no earlier than."
20These expressions involve time but still use the word "than."
21Here is an example:
22I will be home no later than 5 o'clock.
23It means the person will be back at 5 o'clock or sometime before 5 o'clock.
24Notice use of the comparative adjective "later" before the word "than."
25Now, let's discuss "then."
26"Then" is used to talk about something as it relates to time.
27We use it to say what happened next or happens next.
28Listen to some examples:
29Turn left after the bridge and then follow the signs.
30We finished cleaning. Then we played a game.
31We also use "then" in conditional sentences that have the form if...then, like this:
32If it rains, (then) we will go somewhere else.
33Note that in if...then sentences, the word "then" is not required.
34And that's Ask a Teacher.
35I'm Alice Bryant.
1This week, we answer a question from our reader Nyinye, who says: 2Question: 3Hi, I keep getting confused with the words "then" and "than." I know that "than" is used in comparisons but in some cases used as a conjunction. I'm confused. -Nyinye 4Answer: 5Hello Nyinye, 6It is easy confuse the words "then" and "than." They look and sound very similar. And even some native English speakers find them troublesome. 7So here is the quickest way to remember: 8Then (spelled t-h-e-n) is used for time. 9Than (spelled t-h-a-n) is used in comparisons. 10Let's discuss each word in detail. 11Than 12We use "than" to make comparisons between two or more people or things. Listen to some examples: 13She can run faster than the other girls. 14I would rather order food than cook again. 15The first example is a simple and clear comparison. The second may be a little less clear. But it does compare two choices: ordering food and cooking. 16'No later than' 17What may cause some people trouble are expressions like "no later than" and "no earlier than." These expressions involve time but still use the word "than." Here is an example: 18I will be home no later than 5 o'clock. 19It means the person will be back at 5 o'clock or sometime before 5 o'clock. 20Notice use of the comparative adjective "later" before the word "than." 21Then 22Now, let's discuss "then." 23"Then" is used to talk about something as it relates to time. We use it to say what happened next or happens next. Listen to some examples: 24Turn left after the bridge and then follow the signs. 25We finished cleaning. Then we played a game. 26We also use "then" in conditional sentences that have the form if...then, like this: 27If it rains, (then) we will go somewhere else. 28Note that in if...then sentences, the word "then" is not required. 29And that's Ask a Teacher. 30I'm Alice Bryant. 31Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 32________________________________________________________________ 33Words in This Story 34confuse - v. to make (someone) uncertain or unable to understand something 35conjunction - n. a word that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words 36spell - v. to say, write, or print the letters of (a word or name)