One compares, the other marks time or sequence.
Conjunction used in comparisons. Introduces the second element in 'more... than' or 'less... than' structures.
She is taller than her brother.
Ella es más alta que su hermano.
English is harder than I expected.
El inglés es más difícil de lo que esperaba.
He earns more money than me.
Él gana más dinero que yo.
Adverb of time or sequence. Indicates when something happens or what comes next.
Study first, then have fun.
Estudia primero, luego diviértete.
Back then, there were no smartphones.
En esa época, no había smartphones.
If it rains, then we will stay inside.
Si llueve, nos quedamos adentro.
Common mistake
Using 'then' in comparisons or 'than' for time. Wrong: "She is smarter then him." (correct: than him)
Trick to remember it
'Than' has an 'a' — think 'compArison'. 'Then' has an 'e' — think 'timE' or 'sEquence'.
Quick rule
Comparing two things? Use 'than'. Talking about time or what comes next? Use 'then'.
Did you know?
In Old English, 'than' and 'then' were the same word: 'þonne'. Over centuries they split apart to mark the difference between comparison and time. Mixing them up is still one of the most common errors in written English.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
My coffee is hotter ____ I thought.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Finish your homework first, and ____ you can play.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Comparing two things? Use 'than'. Talking about time or what comes next? Use 'then'.
Using 'then' in comparisons or 'than' for time. Wrong: "She is smarter then him." (correct: than him)
'Than' has an 'a' — think 'compArison'. 'Then' has an 'e' — think 'timE' or 'sEquence'.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy