Quick answer: Use than to compare things (taller than me). Use then for time or order (first this, then that).
Than = comparison
“Than” almost always follows a comparative word like more, less, better, rather or other: “She is faster than her brother.” “I’d rather walk than drive.”
Then = time or sequence
“Then” answers “when?” or “what next?”: “We ate, and then we left.” It also appears in if-then statements: “If it rains, then we stay in.”
Examples
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| He is taller then me. | He is taller than me. |
| I would rather stay home then go out. | I would rather stay home than go out. |
| Finish your homework, than play. | Finish your homework, then play. |
Memory trick
Then has an E like time and next. Than has an A like comparison.
Related guides
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- Its or it’s?The apostrophe rule
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Frequently asked questions
Is it “better then” or “better than”?
“Better than”, because it is a comparison.
Is it “more than” or “more then”?
Always “more than”.
Can “then” start a sentence?
Yes: “Then we went home.”