What is the difference between than and then?

Answer 1

"Than" is part of the part of speech known as a comparative adjective, such as hotter than, better than, happier than, etc, and requires the presence of two things or people that are being compared. Such as "George Bush is dumber than a stump" is comparing two things.

"Then" has several usages in the English language. One usage is to suggest subsequent action, as in "Bertha threw up, then she died." Another usage is as a part of a two dependent clauses, the first starting with the word "if", such as "If Raji buys that BMW, then I will marry him." (hee hee)

I teach ESL and my level of students is literacy, so I never get to explain this kind of subtle differences. It's fun!

Blessings,
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 2

Difference Between Than And Then

Answer 3

Than is used when you are comparing something to another, as in, I have more than you.

Then is refering to a time such as, I'm going to eat, then, I'll get on line.

Does that make sense?

Raji the Green Witch

Answer 4

"Than" is a comparison, as in, " Rae is just a little hotter than thinkerbelle."

"Then" is a time thing. It usually refers to what happens next, as in, Ray lost his job, His wife and kids, his car, his dog and his left leg below the knee--Then, tragedy struck. But it can refer to a different time, as in, "That was then, this is now."

So, do you now understand the difference between "Than" and "Then", then?

Answer 5

Maybe this sentence will illustrate the difference more clearly than trying to explain it.

"I ate more THAN you, but THEN I felt sick"

Answer 6

than is used when comparing things: it is better than...
then is is like saying: and then he walked out the door...

Answer 7

than, is used for comparing and then is used for time.