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Than or Then?
What Is the Difference between "Than" and "Then"?
"Than" and "then" are easy to confuse, especially if you're an English learner.- "Than" is used to introduce a comparison. For example:
- She was smarter than you.
- "Then" relates to time. For example:
- I was fitter then.
- Run to the lake then jump in.
- "Then" means "in that case." For example:
- If you're not happy, then leave.

More about "Than" and "Then"
"Then" and "than" are common words, and your readers will expect you to use the right one.Than
"Than" introduces a comparison. It is most often seen with comparatives and words like "more," "less," and "fewer."- Craig is smarter than Paul.
- Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.
(Actor Woody Allen)
("Better" is a comparative.)
- Russia is even more spacious than Canada.
- I have less space than you, but I also have fewer workers than you.
Then
"Then" usually relates to time. It is most commonly used as an adverb. "Then" has three meanings:(1) Subsequently or afterwards
- Go to the traffic lights, then turn right.
- It went dark, then there was a scream.
- The council members argued for three days then eventually came to a decision.
- If you had cleaned your teeth properly, then you wouldn't be in this predicament.
- You're certain then?
- If that's how you feel, let it go then.
- I was much fitter back then.
- She used to holiday in Sri Lanka as it was then known.
- The schedule will be completed before then.
- It was the responsibility of the then team captain to account for the trophies in
the cabinet.
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See Also
adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? More than I or more than me? What are adjectives? What are adverbs? More on comparatives (from adjectives) More on comparatives (from adverbs) List of easily confused wordsPage URL