I remember the first time I wrote “I love you more then my life” in a message. I paused, unsure if it should be then or than.
Small mistakes like this can confuse readers and make your writing look careless.
Many people search for then or than because these words sound similar, but their meanings are very different.
Using the wrong word in emails, essays, social media, or formal writing is a common error.
In this article, I’ll explain the meaning, synonyms, grammar, examples, and common mistakes of then and than, so you’ll never doubt which one to use again.
Quick Answer
- Then ✅ → Refers to time, sequence, or consequence
- Than ✅ → Used for comparisons
Examples:
- Finish your homework, then play outside. ✅
- I am taller than my brother. ✅
- ❌ I love you more then my life. ❌ → I love you more than my life. ✅
The Origin of Then or Than
- Then → Old English þanne, meaning “at that time.”
- Than → Old English þonne, used for comparisons.
- Confusion arises because both are pronounced similarly and are short words.
British English vs American English Usage
| Feature | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Then | ✅ Same | ✅ Same |
| Than | ✅ Same | ✅ Same |
| Usage | Then = time/sequence, Than = comparison | Same |
Which Should You Use?
- Use then for:
- Time references: Back then, we lived in London.
- Sequence: Finish work, then rest.
- Consequence: If it rains, then we’ll stay indoors.
- Use than for:
- Comparisons: She is smarter than her classmates.
- Phrases like: more than, less than, better than, no sooner than
Tip: If the sentence involves comparison, use than. If it involves time or result, use then.
Then or Than Meaning
- Then → When something happens next, at that time, or as a consequence.
- Than → Comparing two things, amounts, or qualities.
Quick Examples:
- I went to the store, then I cooked dinner. ✅
- This cake is sweeter than that one. ✅
Then or Than Synonyms
| Word | Synonyms / Alternatives | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Then | Next, afterward, subsequently | Sequence or time |
| Than | Compared to, in comparison with | Comparisons |
Then or Than Grammar Examples
Time / Sequence (Then)
- We ate breakfast, then went for a walk.
- Finish your homework, then watch TV.
Comparison (Than)
- I am taller than my sister.
- This task is easier than the previous one.
Common Misused Phrases
I love you more then or than
- Correct: I love you more than my life. ✅
- Incorrect: I love you more then my life. ❌
Less then or than
- Correct: The price is less than before. ✅
- Incorrect: The price is less then before. ❌
Better then or than
- Correct: She is better than her teammate. ✅
- Incorrect: She is better then her teammate. ❌
No sooner then or than
- Correct: No sooner had I arrived than the meeting started. ✅
- Incorrect: No sooner had I arrived then the meeting started. ❌
Than or Then in Everyday Examples
Emails & Professional Writing
- Complete the report, then send it to the manager. ✅
- Our results are better than last quarter’s performance. ✅
Social Media & Casual Use
- Went to the park, then grabbed ice cream. ✅
- This phone is cheaper than my old one. ✅
News & Articles
- The team trained hard, then won the championship. ✅
- The new policy is stricter than the previous rules. ✅
Comparison Table: Then vs Than
| Feature | Then | Than |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | Time, sequence, consequence | Comparison |
| Part of speech | Adverb / adjective | Conjunction |
| Examples | We ate, then slept. | She is taller than I am. |
| Common mistake | Using in comparisons ❌ | Using in sequences ❌ |
| British vs American | Same | Same |
FAQs
- What does then mean?
- Refers to time, sequence, or consequence.
- What does than mean?
- Used to compare two or more things.
- Which is correct: then or than?
- Depends on context: then = time/sequence, than = comparison.
- Can then be used in comparisons?
- No, use than instead.
- Can than be used for sequences?
- No, use then instead.
- How do you use “I love you more than/then”?
- Correct: I love you more than my life.
- What about “less than/then” or “better than/then”?
- Always use than for these comparisons.
- No sooner then or than?
- Correct: No sooner had I arrived than the meeting started.
Conclusion
The difference between then and than is simple once you remember the rules: then relates to time, sequence, or consequence, while than is used exclusively for comparisons. Mistakes like “I love you more then my life” are common but easily avoidable.
Using then and than correctly improves clarity and professionalism in emails, essays, social media posts, and formal writing. Whenever you compare, choose than. Whenever you indicate time or sequence, choose then.
Final verdict: Always check the context. If it’s a comparison, use than. If it’s about time or consequence, use then.
Mastering these small words shows precision, readability, and confidence in English writing.
