Then and Than are the two most common words in the English language that seems to be similar as they have the same pronunciation. Both these words are totally different and possess different meanings. Then is the word which is used mostly for the time and sense of what will comes next, Whereas Than is used commonly for the comparison purpose between various things. The main difference to remember is that then refers to time and “than” refers to the comparison.
Then
At that time
I was still in school then. Come at noon.
I'll be ready then.
Than
Used after a comparative adjective or adverb to introduce the second element or clause of an unequal comparison
She is a better athlete than I.
Then
Next in time, space, or order; immediately afterward
Watched the late movie and then went to bed.
Than
Used to introduce the second element after certain words indicating difference
He draws quite differently than she does.
Then
In addition; moreover; besides
It costs $20, and then there's the sales tax to pay.
Than
When. Used especially after hardly and scarcely
I had scarcely walked in the door than the commotion started.
Then
Used after but to qualify or balance a preceding statement
The star was nervous, but then who isn't on the first night of a new play.
Than
In comparison or contrast with
Could run faster than him.
Outclassed everyone other than her.
Then
In that case; accordingly
If traffic is heavy, then allow extra time.
Than
Used in comparisons, to introduce the basis of comparison.
She's taller than I am;
She found his advice more witty than helpful;
We have less work today than we had yesterday;
We had no choice than to return home
Then
As a consequence; therefore
The case, then, is closed.
Then
Usage Problem And after that
I showered, then combed my hair.
Than
Introduces a comparison, and is associated with comparatives, and with words such as more, less, and fewer. Typically, it seeks to measure the force of an adjective or similar description between two predicates.
Patients diagnosed more recently are probably surviving an average of longer than two years.
No player is more skillful than Greg.
Then
That time or moment
The bus leaves at four.
Until then let's walk.
Then
Being so at that time
The then chairman of the board.
Than
A particle expressing comparison, used after certain adjectives and adverbs which express comparison or diversity, as more, better, other, otherwise, and the like. It is usually followed by the object compared in the nominative case. Sometimes, however, the object compared is placed in the objective case, and than is then considered by some grammarians as a preposition. Sometimes the object is expressed in a sentence, usually introduced by that; as, I would rather suffer than that you should want.
Behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Which when Beelzebub perceived, than whom,Satan except, none higher sat.
It's wiser being good than bad;It's safer being meek than fierce;It's fitter being sane than mad.
Then
(temporal location) At that time.
He was happy then.
Than
Then. See Then.
Thanne longen folk to gon on pilgrimages.
Then
(temporal location) Soon afterward.
He fixed it, then left.
Turn left, then right, then right again, then keep going until you reach the service station.
Then
(sequence) Next in order of place.
There are three green ones, then a blue one.
Then
In addition; also; besides.
Then
(conjunctive) In that case.
If it’s locked, then we’ll need the key.
Is it 12 o'clock already? Then it's time for me to leave.
You don't like potatoes? What do you want me to cook, then?
Then
(sequence) At the same time; on the other hand.
That’s a nice shirt, but then, so is the other one.
Then
Used to contradict an assertion.
Then
Being so at that time.
Then
That time
It will be finished before then.
Then
Obsolete spelling of than
Then
At that time (referring to a time specified, either past or future).
And the Canaanite was then in the land.
Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Then
Soon afterward, or immediately; next; afterward.
First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Then
At another time; later; again.
One while the master is not aware of what is done, and then in other cases it may fall out to be own act.
But that opinion, I trust, by then this following argument hath been well read, will be left for one of the mysteries of an indulgent Antichrist.
Then
In that case; in consequence; as a consequence; therefore; for this reason.
If all this be so, then man has a natural freedom.
Now, then, be all thy weighty cares away.
Then
That time; that moment;
We will arrive before then
We were friends from then on
Then
At a specific prior time;
The then president
Then
Subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors);
Then he left
Go left first, then right
First came lightning, then thunder
We watched the late movie and then went to bed
And so home and to bed
Then
In that case or as a consequence;
If he didn't take it, then who did?
Keep it then if you want to
The case, then, is closed
You've made up your mind then?
Then you'll be rich
Then
At that time;
I was young then
Prices were lower back then
Science as it was then taught
Then is the English language word that is used as an adverb, adjective, and even noun. It is used to demonstrate the order of the occurrence of various events or to determine the specific time. Often it is confused because of its similarity with “than.” This word is part of the English language from the early ages of English language and has been through various development stages. The main use of then is an adverb and adjective. It is usually used to demonstrate the time or any particular relation to the time. Other than using it as adverb and adjective, it is in some cases also used as a noun. The best way to remember then is that it has an “e” in it and so time also do possess an “e” in it.
(In the above sentence then indicates the next coming people as a noun as events to come.)
“Than” is the English language word that is used both as preposition and conjunction. The main use of the word is to show the comparison between two or more things. In term of comparing this word joins two different phases and sentences together making them one sentence. It is used to indicate the differences as well. “Than” is way much useful in demonstrating the contrasting between two or more scenarios. It is new word as compared to then. It is derived from then. Although “Than” was in use from the early English language ages but was never thought to be different as compare to then. Then was used for the comparison as well but later on “Than” toke it place altogether. People usually are not able to differentiate between then and ‘than’ and are often end up mixing them both. The easiest way to remember the use of ‘’than” is that possess an “a” in it which is present in comparison, so it indicates the comparison.
