Then vs. Than (Grammar Rules)
This is one of those things that I see (and hear) from time to time in the real world: people mixing up when to use the words “then” and “than.” One is better for directions, while the other is better for comparisons. So let’s take a look at when to use then and than.
Then vs. Than
Then can be used as an adverb, adjective, and noun. As a noun, it is used to indicate a specific time (like “he’s never been the same since then“). Similarly, when used as an adjective, “then” describes a prior time (as in “she was the then attorney general”). As an adverb, then continues to indicate time whether used to recall something that happened in the past (“then he called the police”) or to give the next step for instructions (“then add a cup of flour and stir”). Then can also be used to sum up a thought process after all the data or evidence is put together (as in “after considering all the clues, then it only makes sense that the butler did it”).
(How to Write Dates Correctly in Sentences.)
Than is used as both a conjunction and preposition. It’s often used to compare things, as in “truth is stranger than fiction” or “I like standing better than sitting.” It can also show options, as in “rather than walking to school, why don’t you ride the bus” or “other than cleaning the bathroom, what can I do to earn my allowance?”
Here are a couple examples of then vs. than:
Correct: Ask for permission first, then make yourself a snack.
Incorrect: Ask for permission first, than make yourself a snack.
Correct: Writing a novel is easier said than done.
Incorrect: Writing a novel is easier said then done.
Correct: If you have experience writing, then you should know finishing a story is more difficult than starting a story.
I understand how some people confuse these words, but here’s a quick trick for remembering when to use one over the other. Since “then” is often used for referring to time (even if it’s for the order of completing instructions), think of the “e” in “time” and “then” to connect those two words. And for “than,” think of the “a” in “than” and “comparison.”
*****
Sometimes, the best way to improve your writing is to go back to basics, to revisit the things you should have been paying attention to in your high school English classes (we won’t tell!). Whether you’re writing freelance articles for publications, editing your novel draft, or trying to write more professional emails, the Writer’s Digest Guide to Better Writing offers more than 50 techniques, strategies, and grammar rules with practical, real-world examples to help improve your writing.