Grammar-ease: Using ‘than’ and ‘then’

I’ve done quite a few double-takes in reading the past few months over two words that sound similar, look similar, yet have quite different meanings: than and then.

Than is used for comparisons; then is used for sequences in time.

 

For example, which term is correct in each of the following?

• I have a lot less office space than/then you.
• She was much skinnier back than/then.
• You reacted a lot more rationally than/then I would have.
• Pumpkins tend to be bigger than/then plums.
• Summer is later than/then spring.

(Answers: than, then, than, than, then)

Than is a comparison word.

• I would rather get outside than watch TV.
• Her reports are filled with more errors than mine.
• He prefers fresh flowers from his garden more than fancy arrangements from a florist.
• How about jogging rather than walking today?
• Twenty is much less than a thousand.
• Dogs need a lot more attention than cats.

Then refers to sequences in time. It tells when something happened.

• He rinsed the dishes, then dried them, and then put them away.
• Finish studying for your test, then you can go out to play.
• I booked my flight, then checked my calendar and found a conflict.
• Her son ran into the house with muddy shoes, then looked back and saw the mess.
• Boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, and then they live happily ever after.
• Until then, stay where you are.

A couple of tricks that may help:

• Remember the phrase “rather than,” as it emphasizes that ‘than’ is used to compare one thing to another. Or the phrase “and then and then and then” (which is a familiar way for kids to tell a story), and it can trigger ‘sequence’.
• “Then” relates to “time” (both words have an ‘e’). “Than” is a “comparison” (both words have an ‘a’).

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