Then vs. Than
“Then” usually concerns time, sequence, addition, or result; “than” introduces comparison. Because the words are similar in sound and spelling, a meaning-based substitution test is more reliable than memorizing a single example.
Use “than” when you are comparing: “taller than me,” “more than expected.” Use “then” for time or sequence (“back then,” “first this, then that”) and also for meanings such as “in that case.” If the sentence contains a comparison, “than” is the strong first test.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning/function | Choose | Fast cue |
|---|---|---|
| comparison | than | Look for comparative language such as more, less, -er, rather. |
| at that time | then | Could often be paraphrased as “at that time.” |
| next / after that | then | Describes sequence. |
| in that case / as a result | then | Often follows an if-condition or prior statement. |
“Than” can be analyzed as a conjunction or preposition, but both roles still serve comparison; that distinction normally does not change the spelling choice.
Quick tests
comparison test
Is the sentence comparing people, things, amounts, qualities, or alternatives?
If yes: Use “than.”
If no: Check whether the meaning is time, sequence, addition, or result; those commonly use “then.”
Caveat: Use this as a diagnostic cue, not as a universal replacement rule; sentence meaning and grammatical structure still control the final choice.
time paraphrase
Can the word be paraphrased as “at that time” or “next”?
If yes: Use “then.”
If no: Do not force the test; evaluate the sentence meaning.
Caveat: Use this as a diagnostic cue, not as a universal replacement rule; sentence meaning and grammatical structure still control the final choice.
Usage notes
Further guidance
Editorial Check
MLA’s editors likewise frame “than” around comparison, which corroborates the comparison test without turning every sentence into a style-guide problem.
Sound Is Not The Rule
The forms can be close in speech, but their grammatical jobs differ. The diagnostic should test meaning: comparison points to “than”; time/sequence/result points to “then.”
Than For Comparisons
Cambridge defines “than” as a preposition/conjunction used to join two parts of a comparison, including constructions with more and less.
Then For Time And Sequence
Cambridge documents “then” as an adverb for “at that time,” “next/after that,” “in addition,” and “as a result/in that case.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Then — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Meanings and grammatical role of then
- Than — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Comparison function and grammatical roles of than
- Than or Then: Which One Should You Use? (opens in a new tab)MLA Style Center / Modern Language Association · Editorial explanation of than/then distinction
Related across sections
These links are manually reviewed for a genuine cross-section connection.
Is “Than” Capitalized in a Title?
“Than” exposes a genuine style-engine edge case. APA capitalizes it because it has four letters, while Chicago 18 may lowercase it as a preposition but capitalize it as a conjunction, so Chicago output can depend on the grammatical structure of the title.