Are you confused about when to use than and when to use then? You’re not alone!
Many English learners struggle to understand the difference between these two words. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the difference between than and then, and provide some tips and examples to help you remember when to use each one. We’ll also explore how to avoid common mistakes and use these words correctly in your writing.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about than vs. then, read on!
Contents
Definition of than and then
Than vs. then—what’s the difference?
The usage of the words than and then can often cause confusion for native English speakers. Knowing the distinction between the two can help to prevent errors when forming sentences. To start, than is usually used as a conjunctive adverb.
This means that it serves to indicate comparison between two elements or ideas. In addition to being used as a conjunctive adverb, than can also be used as a preposition. In both of these cases, the presence of than indicates that whatever follows is connected to or greater than the element that preceded it.
For example, “I am taller than my brother”. In this sentence, the comparison of two heights is indicated by the presence of than.
Then, on the other hand, is used to indicate time or order. In other words, when something happens then it is followed by another event. This usage of then is easily identifiable as it follows logically from the occurrence of its predecessor.
An example of this usage is “First I put on my shoes, then I put on my coat”. Here we can see that the two parts of the sentence are split into two separate occurrences of time, with the usage of then being used to pinpoint the second occurrence.
When using then and than, an easy trick to remember the difference between them is to remember that then is used for time and than is used for comparison. In addition, it is important to note the context in which than and then are used in order to ensure their correct usage. It is also essential to use either then orthan correctly in order to keep your thoughts organized and make sure that your sentences make sense.
Examples of than and then
Than vs. then—what’s the difference? If you’ve ever been perplexed by this common English conundrum, you are not alone.
Knowing when to use “than” and when to use “then” can be difficult and confusing to many, but with a little practice, you can master it in no time. The main thing to remember is that “than” is used in comparison statements, while “then” tends to be used as a time marker or an addition to previously discussed items.
To better illustrate this, let’s look at a few examples. If someone wanted to compare two people, they might say “John is taller than Jane.
” Here, “than” is used to show a comparison between the two people. On the other hand, if someone wanted to state the order in which two actions took place, they might say “I woke up then ate breakfast. ” Here, “then” is used to mark the chronological order of two events.
It’s important to remember that “than” and “then” are not interchangeable; one does not fit in the other’s place in the sentence. Make sure to take the time to understand when each should be used in order to sound professional and fluid in your writing. With plenty of practice, you’ll be able to use “than” and “then” confidently!
Common mistakes with than and then
:Many people make simple mistakes when using two of the English ’s most versatile and commonly used words, ‘than’ and ‘then’. While ‘than’ and ‘then’ both have their own separate usages, they are sometimes confused with one another because they both sound the same and are very closely related.
The basic purpose of ‘than’ is to make a comparison, whereas ‘then’ is typically used to signify a point in time. ‘Than’ is used for comparison as in “My dog is bigger than yours”, and it is used for this because it functions as a conjunction when used for this purpose. Alternatively, ‘then’ is used when referring to a particular occasion or a part of a sequential timeline, such as “I was angry then” or “We’ll have dinner then go to the movies”.
This use of the word ‘then’ functions as an adverb. Another example of ‘then’ used as an adverb is “I was feeling happy then I remembered I had homework”. When using ‘than’ and ‘then’, the most important thing to remember is that they are not interchangeable.
To help with using them correctly, it is also important not to focus on how they sound, but to instead focus on their meaning. If you ar e unsure, ask yourself whether what you are saying requires a comparison (in which case you would use ‘than’) or a timeline (in which instance then’ should be used).
Whether you are new to the or just need a refresher, understanding the difference between ‘than’ and ‘then’ allows you to communicate your thoughts more effectively. So, the next time you write or speak in English, remember to be conscious of when and how you use these two very different words.
Tips for remembering the difference
. Are you often confused by the difference between ‘than’ and ‘then’? Don’t worry – you’re not alone!
It can be hard to remember which word to use, especially when you’re in a hurry. To help you get it right every time, here are some tips to remember the difference between ‘than’ and ‘then’.
‘Than’ is used when making comparisons. It is usually used when you are pointing out the differences between two things.
For example, you might say “I am taller than my brother”, or “This assignment is more difficult than I expected”. As you can see, the ‘than’ helps you make the comparison between two objects, people or situations. The word ‘then’ is used to indicate time, sequence or consequence.
For example, you might say “I will finish my work, then I will go shopping”, or “First, you should do your homework, then you can play with your friends”. Here, the ‘then’ is used to show the order of events. When it comes to remembering the difference, try to remember the phrase ‘more than enough time’ – if you are talking about something that is more than enough of something, then you will need ‘than’.
Alternatively, if you’re talking about when something will happen, like a sequence of events, then you will need ‘then’. Remembering these tips will help ensure you never make the mistake of mixing up ‘than’ and ‘then’ again!
Bottom Line
Than and then are two words that are often confused because they look and sound similar. However, they have very different meanings.
Than is used to compare two things, while then is used to talk about something that happened afterward. Knowing the difference between these two words is important to ensure that you are using them correctly in your writing.
FAQ
What is the difference between than and then?
Than is used as a conjunction to compare two things, while then is used to refer to a time or a consequence.
How do you use than and then correctly in a sentence?
Than is used to compare two things, while then is used to refer to something that happens afterward. For example: “I am taller than my brother, and then I went to the store.”
When should you use than instead of then?
Than is used when making comparisons, while then is used to refer to time or something that follows something else.
What is the meaning of than and then?
Than is used to compare two things, while then is used to refer to something that happened afterward.
How do you remember when to use than and then?
Than is used when making a comparison, while then is used to refer to a time or when something happens.
Are there any exceptions to using than and then?
Yes, there are exceptions to using than and then. For example, “than” is used to compare two things, while “then” is used to refer to a time or sequence of events.
