What's the difference between "then" and "than". What's the criteria of using it?

Question

I am not sure under what circumstances should I use then or than. I guess I might have skipped my English grammar class.

Answer 1

"Then" is a measure of time, as in "back then, when I was younger".
"Than" is a measure of more or less, as in "His truck is bigger than mine".
That's the easiest way I know how to explain it. Hope it helps.

Answer 2

Two totally different words with different meanings and usage.

"Then" can be used as an adverb and is used as follows :
1. at that time: Prices were lower then.
2. immediately or soon afterward: The rain stopped and then started again.
3. next in order of time: We ate, then we started home.
4. at the same time: At first the water seemed blue, then gray.
5. next in order of place: Standing beside Charlie is my uncle, then my cousin, then my brother.
6. in addition; besides; also: I love my job, and then it pays so well.
7. in that case; as a consequence; in those circumstances: If you're sick, then you should stay in bed.
8. since that is so; as it appears; therefore: You have, then, found the mistake? You are leaving tonight then.

It can also be used as an adjective :
9. being; being such; existing or being at the time indicated: the then prime minister.

and can also be used as a noun :
10. that time: We have not been back since then. Till then, farewell.


The word "than" is a conjunction and is used as follows :
1. (used, as after comparative adjectives and adverbs, to introduce the second member of an unequal comparison): She's taller than I am.
2. (used after some adverbs and adjectives expressing choice or diversity, such as other, otherwise, else, anywhere, or different, to introduce an alternative or denote a difference in kind, place, style, identity, etc.): I had no choice other than that. You won't find such freedom anywhere else than in this country.
3. (used to introduce the rejected choice in expressions of preference): I'd rather walk than drive there.
4. except; other than: We had no choice than to return home.
5. when: We had barely arrived than we had to leave again.

Answer 3

My father always complains when I use them incorrectly and its only usually when I am in a hurry!

"Than" is used to compare things

I am bigger THAN you
Her house is neater THAN ours

"Then" can have different meanings:

1.Can indicate a time: " I will see you THEN"

2.Its a way of saying 'next' "I did this THEN i did that"

It can have a few other meanings too but the
simple rule is that if you are comparing things use THAN.In any other circumstance use THEN.

Answer 4

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RE:
What's the difference between "then" and "than". What's the criteria of using it?
I am not sure under what circumstances should I use then or than. I guess I might have skipped my English grammar class.

Answer 5

Difference Between Then And Than

Answer 6

I'll give you a couple of senteces for example
" I like mayo more 'than' ketchup"
"We went to the market, and 'then' we stopped to grab a coffee"

Answer 7

THEN refers to time
THAN is used in reference to MORE or LESS (as in "7 is less THAN 12, but THEN again, 7 is more than 6.").

"It was then, in the spring of Joe's senior year, that he fell in love with a woman more than ten years older than himself."

Answer 8

Okay, let me see if i can explain the difference in a comprehensible way. Then means "well, then, the logical conclusion would be...." And than means you are comparing nouns or something. Like, "i am better than you." Does that make sense?

Answer 9

"Then refers to time like Then lets go. or we will do it then. Than is used to compare for example, This is greater than I thought. or 5 is greater than 2. Basically if you're not comparring you then. If you are comparing you than. The're is exceptions to everyting as english isn't perfect.

Answer 10

the word 'then' is like 'that happened next.' e.g. I ate pizza.Then drank coke.
the word 'than' is used to introduce the second element in a comparision. e.g. She is older than i am.
these two words are conjuctions

Answer 11

Many people use than when they mean then, and vice versa.
Than, a conjunction, is used to compare things.
Then, an adverb, is used with descriptions of time.
• Then, suddenly, Mr. Perez shouted, “I’m a better diver than you’ll ever be!”
• I think she looks dangerously skinny, but then, what do I know?
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then
1: at that time2 a: soon after that : next in order of time b: following next after in order of position, narration, or enumeration : being next in a series c: in addition : besides 3 a (1): in that case (2)—used after but to qualify or offset a preceding statement b: according to that : as may be inferred c: as it appears : by way of summing up d: as a necessary consequence =========================================
than
1 a—used as a function word to indicate the second member or the member taken as the point of departure in a comparison expressive of inequality ; used with comparative adjectives and comparative adverbs b—used as a function word to indicate difference of kind, manner, or identity ; used especially with some adjectives and adverbs that express diversity 2: rather than —usually used only after prefer, preferable, and preferably