Then vs Than

Vocabulary

Then vs Than

Time, sequence and comparisons, without the spelling guesswork.

B1–B2 · 15 minutes

Created by , British English teacher.

Your goal: Choose then or than by meaning and use both confidently in everyday messages.

Read, try each short Say it task aloud, then compare with a model. Finish with the mastery quiz.

1. Ask: time or comparison?

Start with this pair: We ate, then left. The meal was better than expected. The words look similar, but they do different jobs.

THEN: what happens next or at that time

Finish your coffee. Then we can leave.

Think: next or at that time.

THAN: what you are comparing

This café is quieter than the other one.

Think: compared with.

A useful memory cue: then goes with time; than goes with comparison. Check the meaning as well as the spelling.

Try it: “Call me after lunch. I will be free ___.” Say your answer before checking.

Check the quick example

Then means at that time, after lunch. Nothing is being compared.

Listen: then and now

Listen for time words and comparisons. Pause after each example and say what then or than contributes.

Amanda · American English. The spelling choice depends on meaning, even when the words sound similar in fast speech.

Amanda · English (United States)

Model transcript and listening guidance

A change of routine: Back then, I worked in a busy office. My journey was longer than it is now. First I took a bus, and then I walked to work. Now I cycle rather than drive.

Useful everyday chunks: Finish the form, and then send it. This option is better than the first one. I would rather call than wait. See you then.

Listening guidance: Then places an event in time or a sequence. Than introduces a comparison. In rather than, it introduces the alternative.

2. Then: next, at that time, or as a result

Three useful jobs for then
MeaningExampleWhat it tells us
NextCheck the address, then send the parcel.The order of the actions
At that timeI lived in Bristol back then.A period already mentioned
In that caseIf you are ready, then we can begin.What follows from a condition

Then does not mean only “in the past”. You can say We will finish at five. See you then. The time comes from the context.

Useful chunks: back then, until then, since then, by then and every now and then (occasionally).

Does if always need then?

No. If you are ready, we can begin is complete. Adding then makes the result more explicit. Do not insert than in this pattern.

3. Than: comparisons and alternatives

Common patterns with than
PatternExample
Comparative + thanThe train is faster than the bus.
More/less + thanWe spent less than fifty pounds.
Rather thanI will walk rather than wait for a taxi.
Other thanEveryone other than Leo has replied.

In rather than, you contrast alternatives. In other than, you identify an exception. Neither phrase describes the next event.

I would rather call than wait.
I am looking for somewhere other than a busy hotel.

Keep the structure balanced: I would rather call than wait. After would rather, use the base verb, not to call.

4. A quick editing routine

  1. Find the meaning: time, sequence or a consequence points to then.
  2. Look for a comparison: bigger, better, more, less or an alternative often points to than.
  3. Check the whole chunk: rather than, other than, back then, until then.
  4. Read the message again: can the reader follow both the order and the comparison?

Sound alone may not help: unstressed words can sound similar. Choose the spelling from the meaning.

Repair and explain

Try each repair aloud or in writing before opening the answer.

Repair: “The new room is bigger then the old one.”

Check the repair

The new room is bigger than the old one.

Bigger introduces a comparison between two rooms.

Repair: “Read the instructions. Than choose an answer.”

Check the repair

Read the instructions. Then choose an answer.

The second action follows the first; this is sequence.

Mastery quiz

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, read the explanations, then retry any you missed.

1. Finish the form, and ___ send it.
2. This route is shorter ___ the coastal road.
3. I was a student back ___.
4. I would rather call ___ wait for an email.
5. Everyone other ___ Sam has arrived.
6. We meet at six tomorrow. See you ___.
7. Which sentence is correct?
8. We have less ___ ten minutes.
9. Choose both words: It was cheaper ___ expected. We paid and ___ left.
10. What does every now and then mean?

Full answer key with explanations
  1. then. Then introduces the next action.
  2. than. Than connects the two routes in the comparison.
  3. then. Back then means at that earlier time.
  4. than. Rather call than wait contrasts two choices.
  5. than. Other than means except for here.
  6. then. Then refers to the future time already mentioned.
  7. If you agree, then we can start.. Then introduces the result; it could also be omitted.
  8. than. Less than compares the time available with ten minutes.
  9. than; then. The price is compared first; the actions are sequenced second.
  10. Occasionally. Every now and then means occasionally.

Put it into practice

Write or record four sentences about a change in your routine. Include back then, one comparison with than and one sequence with then.

Self-check: Underline each then and than. Explain its job without using the memory cue.

Compare with a model

Back then, I studied late at night. Now I feel more alert in the morning than in the evening. I make a plan, and then I study for half an hour. I would rather finish early than stay up late.