Than or Then: Which One Should You Use?

Have you ever second-guessed whether you should use then instead of than in your writing? That wouldn’t be surprising: the words not only sound the same but also are spelled nearly the same way. So here’s how to know when to use each one.

Than

You can think of than as a conjunction or preposition usually used to indicate a type of comparison. Merriam-Webster defines the conjunction form as being used “in a comparison expressive of inequality” (“Than, Conj. [1a]”), “to indicate difference of kind, manner, or identity” (“Than, Conj. [1b]”), or in the sense of “other than” (“Than, Conj. [3]”), like in the following examples:

My friend likes cake more than ice cream.  

The study found that participants ate more chocolate chip cookies than oatmeal cookies.

The students had to interview people other than their family members.

Pete would rather go hiking than skiing.

Similarly, when used as a preposition, than means “in comparison with” (“Than, Prep.”), such as in this sentence:

Julie’s poster was smaller than mine.

Then

When used as an adverb, then can be used in several ways. One way is related to time or sequence, when it is used to mean “at that time” (“Then, Adv. [1]”), “soon after that” (“Then, Adv. [2a]”), or “following next after in order of position, narration, or enumeration” (“Then, Adv. [2b]”).

If I go to the library tomorrow, I’ll return the book then.

Mike watched a movie and then went shopping.

Sophia filled the first page in her notebook and then the next.

But it can also be used to express a result, like the meanings “as a necessary consequence” (“Then, Adv. [3a]”), “in that case” (“Then, Adv. [3b]”), or “according to that” (“Then, Adv. [3c]”).

If Jill starts driving to Valeria’s apartment now, then she might make it in time for the party.

Then you intend to move to Connecticut next year?

When used as an adjective, the meaning of then is as follows: “belonging to the time mentioned” (“Then, Adj.”). In the example below, then is used to refer to identify a specific, past treasurer (and to clarify that the writer doesn’t mean to refer to the current treasurer):

The then treasurer was diligent about updating the files weekly.

Finally, then can be used as a noun to mean “that time” (“Then, N.”):

Mike couldn’t get to the restaurant until then.

Works Cited

“Than, Conj. (1a).” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/than.

“Than, Conj. (1b).” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/than.

“Than, Conj. (3).” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/than.

“Than, Prep.” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/than.

“Then, Adj.” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/then.

“Then, Adv. (1).” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/then.

“Then, Adv. (2a).” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/then.

“Then, Adv. (2b).” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/then.

“Then, Adv. (3a).” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/then.

“Then, Adv. (3b).” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/then.

“Then, Adv. (3c).” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/then.

“Then, N.” Merriam Webster Unabridged, 2025, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/collegiate/then.