Among the most common English mistakes is confusing then and than. Although they look similar and differ by only one letter, they have completely different meanings and uses.

Using the wrong word can make your writing sound unnatural or even change the meaning of a sentence.

In this guide, you'll learn when to use then and than, along with examples, common mistakes, and simple tricks to remember the difference.

Why "Then" and "Than" Are Confusing

The words:

• Then
• Than

look almost identical.
However:

• Then usually refers to time or what happens next.
• Than is used for comparisons.

Learning this simple rule will help you avoid one of the most frequent grammar mistakes.

What Does "Then" Mean?

Then relates to time, order, or the next step.
Think of it as meaning:

• Next
• After that
• At that time

Examples:

• We finished dinner, then we watched a movie.
• First study your vocabulary, then practice speaking.
• I lived in Spain back then.
• Complete the exercise, then check your answers.
• She smiled, then walked away.

In each sentence, then shows when something happens or what happens next.

What Does "Than" Mean?

Than is used when comparing two or more people, objects, ideas, or actions.

Examples:

• My car is faster than yours.
• English is easier than I expected.
• She is taller than her brother.
• Coffee is more popular than tea in some countries.
• This test is harder than the previous one.

Whenever you're making a comparison, use than.

Then vs Than: Quick Comparison

Common Mistakes

• ❌ I am taller then my brother.
  ✅ I am taller than my brother.
• ❌ Finish your homework than watch TV.
  ✅ Finish your homework then watch TV.
• ❌ She arrived earlier then me.
  ✅ She arrived earlier than me.
• ❌ First make a plan, than begin.
  ✅ First make a plan, then begin.
• ❌ This movie is more interesting then the last one.
  ✅ This movie is more interesting than the last one.

Memory Tips

Remember: Then = Time

The word then helps describe when something happens.
Think:

• First...
• Then...
• Finally...

Remember: Than = Comparison

Whenever you compare two things, use than.
Examples:

• Bigger than
• Faster than
• Better than
• More interesting than

Ask Yourself a Question

Before choosing the word, ask:
Am I talking about time or sequence?
➡️ Use then.
Am I comparing two things?
➡️ Use than.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word.

1. She is younger _____ her sister.
   A) then
   B) than
   

   ✅ Answer: B

2. First read the article, _____ answer the questions.
   A) then
   B) than
   

   ✅ Answer: A

3. Winter is colder _____ summer.
   A) then
   B) than
   

   ✅ Answer: B

4. We had lunch, _____ went shopping.
   A) then
   B) than
   

   ✅ Answer: A

5. This phone is more expensive _____ mine.
   A) then
   B) than
   

   ✅ Answer: B

Tips for Avoiding This Mistake

• Read your sentences aloud.
• Look for comparison words like more, less, better, worse, taller, and faster—they usually require than.
• Look for sequence words like first, next, and after—they often pair with then.
• Practice writing your own example sentences every day.
• Review common grammar mistakes regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "then" ever used for comparisons?

No. Then refers to time, sequence, or order—not comparison.

Is "than" always used after comparative adjectives?

Yes. Words like bigger, smaller, better, worse, more, and less are commonly followed by than when making comparisons.

Why do English learners confuse these words?

They are pronounced similarly, spelled almost the same, and often appear in similar sentence structures, making them easy to mix up.

Can using the wrong word change the meaning?

Yes. Replacing then with than, or vice versa, can make a sentence incorrect or confusing.

What's the easiest way to remember the difference?

Remember this simple rule:

• Then = Time
• Than = Comparison

If you're talking about what happens next, use then. If you're comparing two things, use than.

Final Thoughts

Although then and than differ by only one letter, they serve completely different purposes in English. Then helps describe time and sequence, while than is used to compare people, objects, ideas, or actions.

With regular practice and careful proofreading, you'll quickly develop the habit of choosing the correct word every time.

Ready to Improve Your Grammar?

Take the Grammar Test, Vocabulary Test, Writing Test, Reading Test, Listening Test, and English Level Test on TryEnglishTest.com to strengthen your grammar skills and eliminate common English mistakes.

Master the difference between "then" and "than" today and write English with greater confidence!