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What’s the Difference Between "Then" and "Than"?
Commonly confused... but not for much longer!
Today, we’ll clear up (=clarify/explain) one of the most common mix-ups in English: the difference between then and than.
These two little words look and sound similar, but their meanings and uses are worlds apart (=very different).
Got two minutes to read? Of course, you do!
Table of Contents
Then
🕰️ 🏆 Use then to talk about time, sequences, or results.
💭 Think: “What happens next?”
Examples:
I finished my homework, and then I went to bed. (sequence)
Back then, we didn’t have smartphones. (a point in time)
If you don’t study, then you might fail the test. (cause and effect)
💡 Tip: Replace “then” with “next” or “at that time” in your sentence. If it still makes sense, you’ve got the right word!
Then = time, sequence, results
Than = comparisons
Than
🔁 Use than when you’re comparing two things.
💭 Think: “Which is better, faster, or stronger?”
Examples:
She’s taller than her brother.
I’d rather stay home than go out in the rain.
Chocolate is better than vanilla.
💡 Tip: If you’re comparing two things, it’s than, not then.
Do you already know this? |
How To Remember The Difference
Then has an e, like sequence.
Than has an a, just like the word comparison.
💡 Quick Quiz!
Then or than?
We went to the cinema, and ___ we grabbed dinner.
She runs faster ___ her classmates.
First, wash your hands; ___ you can start cooking.
I like tea more ___ coffee.
💡 QUICK QUIZ answers:
We went to the cinema, and then we grabbed dinner.
She runs faster than her classmates.
First, wash your hands; then you can start cooking.
I like tea more than coffee.
Over To You!
Leave a comment below with your own sentence using then or than! We’ll tell you if it’s correct 🙂
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