Than vs Then
What’s the difference between them?
Than
Meaning:
Than is a word used to compare two things.
Examples:
1) He was taller than her by two inches.
2) She is much more experienced than I am.
3) I would rather go to the beach than stay at home.
Then
Meaning:
Then is an adverb that indicates a point in time or a sequence of events. It can also be used to introduce a consequence or result.
Examples:
1) 'Let's go for dinner and then we can catch a movie afterwards.'
2) 'I'll do the dishes and then I'll be ready to go out.'
3) 'First, we'll practice the song and then we'll perform it for the audience.'
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Than
There are no direct synonyms for this word.
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Then
Subsequently
afterward
Now
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Than", "Then".
1. Remember that 'than' is used when comparing two things. For example: 'He is taller than me.'
2. Remember that 'then' is used to talk about things that happen in a sequence. For example: 'First I ate dinner, then I watched a movie.'
3. Remember: 'Then' is when (both related to time).
4. Recall: 'Than' is for comparison (both have an 'a').
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Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word?
The word 'than' is used when making comparisons. For example, 'I am taller than my sister.' It is also used in expressions such as 'other than' and 'rather than'.
When to use the second word?
The word 'then' can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used in time expressions, such as 'Then I went to the store.' It can also be used to refer to what happened after something else, such as 'I ate dinner, then watched a movie.'
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
No, the words 'than' and 'then' do not have the same pronunciation. The word 'than' is pronounced with a short 'a' sound, while the word 'then' is pronounced with a long 'e' sound.
What are common mistakes associated with words 'than' and 'then'?
One of the most common mistakes associated with these words is using 'then' when 'than' is required in a comparison. For example, 'I am taller then my sister' should be 'I am taller than my sister'. Another common mistake is using 'than' when 'then' is required in a sequence. For example, 'I ate dinner, than watched a movie' should be 'I ate dinner, then watched a movie'.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. Id rather have coffee ___ tea.
2. She is taller ___ her brother.
3. First, preheat the oven; ___ prepare the batter.
4. If youre not feeling well, ___ you should see a doctor.
5. I earned more ___ I expected on the project.
6. He took a deep breath; ___ he jumped into the pool.
1. than
Explanation: Than is used in comparisons. In this sentence, there is a comparison between the preference for coffee over tea.
2. than
Explanation: Here, than is again used for comparison, comparing the height of she and her brother.
3. then
Explanation: Then indicates a sequence of events or time. In this case, its indicating the next step after preheating the oven.
4. then
Explanation: Then is used here to suggest a consequence or a result of the condition presented in the first part of the sentence.
5. than
Explanation: Than is used for comparison. The sentence compares the actual earnings to the expected earnings.
6. then
Explanation: Then indicates the sequence of actions. After taking a deep breath, the next action was jumping into the pool.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.