Confused by than and then? Learn the difference between these two commonly confused English words, with simple explanations and examples.
Than and then sound similar, but they have completely different meanings.
Than is mainly used when comparing things.
- Amina is taller than Sarah.
- This phone is cheaper than that one.
- I would rather walk than wait.
Then usually refers to time, sequence or what happens next.
- We had dinner and then went home.
- I lived in Mombasa then.
- Finish your work, then you can leave.
Easy way to remember
Think of than = comparison and then = time or sequence.
Correct: This book is better than that one.
Correct: I finished work and then went home.