Than is a conjunction or preposition used to indicate comparison. Then - Man checking watch vs Than - Three brothers, Man: invincible_bulldog / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Brothers: invincible_bulldog / iStock / Getty Images Plus. Again, this is a comparison, so the answer isthan. Thanks for reading! Or, "Finish your homework, and 'then' you can watch TV.". in English Language and Literature. Both "then" and "time" contain an "e" in the spelling. The first sentence says you prefer cooking to eating outside. It is also used for stating the condition for doing something, where it stands for in that case. Vincent used to swim when he was in school, but he hasnt swum since, Here, then is used as a noun to mean that time.. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Nordquist, Richard. Revised on March 11, 2023. The hospital bills didn't find her, but a lawsuit did plus interest. Heres a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? For example: If you had told me you were hungry, I would have bought food for you. Then is used to refer to the concept of time. When to Use Then "Then" vs. "Than": When To Use Each Word | YourDictionary Then vs. Than: What's the Difference? - Writing Explained The word "than" is used to compare things. August 8, 2022 165 84 Advertisement Weve spent so much time talking about than that we almost forgot about the word then, so now its the time to come full circle on using then and than. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/than-and-then-1692784. Then functions as an adverb, a noun, and an adjective that refers to a point in time. Than vs. Then | Chegg Writing Mainly, then as an adjective is used like the word former to denote a person's former identity or role. My then roommate Claire moved out and I have not seen her since then. Ralph likes school more than [he likes] me. "Part of . Knowledge Base Commonly confused words Then vs. Than | Meaning, Examples & Sentences Then vs. Than | Meaning, Examples & Sentences Published on August 8, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . What is the difference between then and than? We can speak then. John and me are being compared to show the preference of the judge. Your submission has been received! Difference between DO and MAKE - 60 English collocations. So you have a "simultaneous" word coming up against a "sequential" word. Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses. Examples: But by then, Shannon might be tired. Take a look at this example:Carlos is taller than his brother. A conjunction used to introduce the second element of an unequal comparison. The answer is than. For example: It is important to note that when two things are being compared with than, the sentence must contain the words more or less. For example: Now that you know the difference between then and than, lets look at some examples to help you understand how to use them correctly. Than introduces a comparison. Here's a longer, multilayered example of then relating to the future. "Then" is mostly used to indicate time. The fact that theyre so common means that theyre also commonly misused! Then often functions as an adverb. Many people have the wrong idea that then and than can be used interchangeably. Do You Know The History And Importance Of Juneteenth. If so, youre not alone! Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you dont have much time to study. Would you say the company needs a good accountant more than (or then) ever? Owing to a . Use thenwhen you want to express a sense of time or what comes next or used to be. For decades, Silicon Valley anticipated the moment when a new technology would come along and change everything. In this example, "then" refers to the time sequence of an event in a series of events: "Then" is used to show the time sequence of the third event (joining Barnard). Similarly, the third alphabet of than is a. We will take a train to the coast and then go to the theater. Than Vs. Then - What's the Difference? - Learn English Team Many people have the wrong idea that 'then' and 'than' can be used interchangeably. There are a few popular phrases that use than that people arent sure whether to use then or than. It's common to mix up "then" and "than" in a sentence, even though they're two distinct words. To mean in that case often used with if: You forgot your wallet? Then vs Than - How to Use Each Correctly! - Learn Laugh Speak Robust, real-time communication assistance, Write, rewrite, get ideas, and quickly reply with GrammarlyGO, Features to polish, grammar, tone, clarity, team consistency, and more, Writing assistance on 500,000+ apps and sites across your devices, For desktop apps and websites like Word and Gmail, For sites like Google Docs, Gmail, and LinkedIn, Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes, Format citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago, Two acquaintances who share many of the same features may be difficult to distinguish from one another. She claims not to own anything other than her car. The and is a "joining word." I ate the peas and carrots. It introduces an exception to the rest of the mentioned group members. Promise.prototype.then() - JavaScript | MDN - MDN Web Docs It can be used to refer to both past and future points in time. We saw a movie and then went out for dinner. 166 Alex glanced at Jonathan and then rubbed the top of his head. I don't have any bag other than this one. But that is wrong because both these words are very different. If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Amanda is shorter than Annabelle. As you can see, most of the uses of then have to do with time. Then - Grammar - Cambridge Dictionary Examples and memory tricks can help to understand and remember the difference between these two words. An example for the former could be . Different From: Is There Really a Difference? appears in some idioms too. 1. However, telling them apart is not impossible. Eliminate grammar errors and improve your writing with our free AI-powered grammar checker. The second sentence isnt wrong, unless your intended meaning is a comparison. For instance, First do your math homework and then complete your science project.. (2023, March 11). However, they have different meanings in the English language, so you need to use the correct word when writing. For instance, You are stronger than her., It can be used for comparisons. in a sentence, usually to express a spatial or temporal relationship. The world's best online resource for learning English. It was. However, it can also be used as a noun or adjective. Examples: This dog is mine. This swimming pool is bigger than that pond. is a conjunction used to introduce the second part of an unequal comparison. Then he was up again, running fasterthan ever, then the dogs were gaining on him again.". Something went wrong while submitting the form. It usually refers to something happening at "that time" although it can also be used in other ways. and Silicon Valley Confronts the Singularity - The New York Times Many of them, such as more fun than a barrel of monkeys or more dead than alive, feature comparisons. In this article, we focus on then vs. than, which are often mixed up. A lot of people make errors with the nearly identical. 1) Then Then as an adverb: The word "then" is used in cases where time is quoted, such as "She went walking then." Examples When trying to determine whether you should use "than" or "then," remember that "than" makes a comparison, whereas "then" involves ordering events or items. This article explains then vs. than in detail with examples. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. If youre running late, please let me know before, Im going on vacation next week, and until, I was in really good shape in high school; I could run a mile in seven minutes back, My alarm goes off at 8AM; I dont like to wake up any, Our 12-year-old son is allowed to stay up, You should do something about the problem, After Peter showed up an hour late to work, the boss fired him, I presented ten different reasons this was a bad idea, but. It is mostly used when making a comparison or depicting amount/quantity. The correct phrase is "other than," not "other then.". If youre an ESL learner, here are a few tips for you to better grasp the difference between then and than: In conclusion, understanding the difference between then and than is essential for teaching and learning English. CARLY LE CERF | ARTIST - Instagram Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. How to use "then" and "than" | Britannica Dictionary Hedi Najafi earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Arizona State University. Finally, than can mean "except" or "when." Amanda is shorter than Annabelle. It shows the reader that the Prime Minister was a Prime Minister before, but now is not. Understanding Subject Complements in Grammar, Palate, Palette, or Pallet? Standing next to Edwin is Ethan, then my roommate Claire, then me. Than vs. Then - The Correct Way to Use Each | Confusing Words 304 lessons. It helps to explain the chronological order of events. In the final sentence in this passage, the first use of "then" orders events, noting that Snowball, the pig, slipped and "then" was up again. Than is mostly used as a subordinating conjunction but it can be used as a preposition too. 241 122 No one could have been more private than Josh. The confusion between then and than often comes from the fact that they are pronounced in a similar way. English has a lot of confusing words, especially those words that look alike and sound alike. To use "than" correctly, the writer could instead say, "I'm probably closer to my mother 'than' I am to my father" or "I'm probably closer to my mother 'than' my father is." The first sentence says you prefer (right now at least) eating to sleeping. Then can be used as an adverb to place events or things in order. However, in informal communication, than is often treated as a preposition, and the pronouns in the second element are in objective case (me, him, her, them): he likes bagels more than me. Here, than is used to complete the expression other than, meaning except for., I understand Eoghans point of view better. They have different meanings. Then and than are among the 100 most frequently used words in the English language. Than is used to make comparisons as in the following sentences: I like cake better than pie. White, in their book, "The Elements of Style," say that you should carefully examine any sentence with "than" to ensure that no essential words are missing. Eoghan Ryan. You misspelled culpable. "If-then": Using Conditional Sentences in Academic Writing Wouldnt it be a fun project to find out how these colorful expressions started? When Do I Use "Then" and "Than"? | Britannica Dictionary But it does allow for sentences like this one, The report shocked Jack more than me, since this sentence is understood to be The report shocked Jack more than it shocked me. I like playing basketball more than I like playing soccer. The hallmark of patriotism then, he said, was "a sense of self-sacrifice, of caring more about one's neighbors and fellow community members than one's self." . 3 For example: In all the above examples,thanis introducing a comparison between two things. You and I are both taller than Gary. Often used with before/after/until/back: Sometimes then refers to an exact time (as in the Ill be busy until 3 p.m. sentence), but in other cases it refers to a general time period (as in the last sentence about the years I was high school). Many people, even native English speakers, have difficulty distinguishing between these two words. You can also use "then" to order items, as in: "I first counted the bills and 'then' counted the change." Difference between 'Then' and 'Than' - Javatpoint "The Elements of Style." Bill is taller than John. Used in expressions introducing an exception or contrast. See the examples below: I miss my time at college, everything was much easier then. Than and then are similar, because they have similar sounds and spellings, but they have very different functions in English.Than is used when making comparisons and can be either a preposition or a conjunction.Then can be used as an adverb, adjective, or noun. have many similar characteristics. This lesson explains the difference between THEN and THAN: illustrations, definitions, examples, tips, practice story, final quiz, and answers. 262 130 Advertisement Her lower lip pushed out and then she started to cry. The correct phrase is "than me," not "then me.". In other words, the pronoun that follows than is determined by whether it serves as the subject or object of the verb understood.. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. No matter what you are comparing, whether it be time, money, speed, if a comparison is taking place, than is the correct word choice. I answered two questions and "then" got stuck. Lets take a look at the differences between them. Next in time, space, or order; immediately afterward. Examples of "Then" in a Sentence | YourDictionary.com President Obama talked to the then U.K. Prime Minister, D. Cameron. "Rather than" is used to indicate some type of comparison. If they when the lottery, discussion will happen sometime after and not before. So you should use than while drawing comparisons. Then I guess Ill have to pay for the movie tickets. In this sentence, "other than" introduces an event, "occasional headaches," which are an exception to general health. Wouldnt it be a fun project to find out how these colorful expressions started? For example, you would say, "Kelly is taller than her brother," not, "Kelly is taller then her brother," because we are comparing Kelly . Or you can remember that "than" is a comparative adjective or adverb, and both have the letter "a," as in: This is bigger "than" that." In this example, "then" is used to mean "next"--"me" is next after John. . Note that the conditions did not happen. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. In this sentence, "than" is used as a preposition associated with comparison. Did you hear that less than 50% of the public voted in the election? Often, writers leave the second verb out of the sentence (Both of my brothers are taller than I). I could run a mile in seven minutes back then. "Then" the sentence again orders events: Snowball was running faster ("than" ever), but the dogs were "then" (subsequently) gaining on him. It is used to show the difference between two things or to say that one thing is better or worse. The grandmasters of style, William Strunk and E.B. Both then and time have a letter E in them. The bill was signed by then President Ronald Reagan. Then can be used as a noun and an adjective but only under certain circumstances. Because the words "than" and "then" sound alike, they are sometimes confused. But there is a simple trick that can help you remember and use them appropriately. Cook the turkey slowly, and then let it rest for thirty minutes before serving. (2023, April 5). Is itHe likes bagels more than I, or He likes bagels more than me? The population of New York was less than one million then. What to Know Than is used in comparisons as a conjunction (as in "she is younger than I am") and as a preposition ("he is taller than me"). Confusing Words Then vs. Than Then and than are similar-sounding words. and B.A. If thats how you feel, we shouldnt be friends anymore.. Then vs. Than - What Is the Difference? (with Illustrations and Examples) Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses. Then is used to refer to the concept of time. It is most commonly used as an adverb. Finally, than can mean except or when.. These are mine. Then can function as an adjective, adverb, or noun. Are you using the right verbs in your research paper? It would unite human and machine, probably for the better but . See the examples below: Thanis used to draw a comparison and usually appears in combination with other words, for instance heavier than, greater than, fewer than, etc. https://www.thoughtco.com/than-and-then-1692784 (accessed July 9, 2023). You'll see then more often than than in writing and conversation. Please click the checkbox on the left to verify that you are a not a bot. Another idiom means at that exact time and place, or at once: Ethan asked me if I wanted to take a road trip, and I went home to pack my suitcase right then and there. 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He has taught college English for 5+ years. Traditionalists will argue that than is a conjunction, and that the pronoun in the subordinate clause should be in the subjective case (I, he, she, we, they): he likes bagels more than I. Let's check these meanings with example sentences. Than functions as a preposition when it modifies a comparative adjective or another part of the sentence. Therefore, "than" should be used. Then and than are two commonly confused words with different meanings and grammatical roles. For example: Both of my brothers are taller than I am. Although theywere once used interchangeablyindeed centuries ago their spellings and pronunciations frequently interchangednow there is a clear difference between them. A preposition connects a noun or pronoun to a verb or adjective in a sentence, usually to express a spatial or temporal relationship. Copyright 2022 GrammarBrain All rights reserved , Then vs. than How to remember the difference. I usually eat healthy snacks, but today I want to try something other than fruit. 1. Heres when to use then vs. than. Rather thanmeans something like instead of or not: Other thanmeans except or besides / in addition: We use these to compare things in terms of being good or bad: We usemore thanandless thanto compare quantities: The trip to the airport takes less than an hour by train. It's unclear in this comparison if the speaker is closer to her mother than she is to her father or whether she is closer to her mother than her father is. For instance, Back then, we did not have smartphones. pair, but you dont have to be one of them. In this sentence, "than" is used to compare the height of two towers. A lot of people make errors with the nearly identical than/then pair, but you dont have to be one of them. As Follows or As Follow - Which Is Correct? by (One thing is for certain: were getting tired of bagels!). To mean "of that time" or "belonging to that time". He is faster than you. This use of "then" orders events in terms of time. A Parade Of Colors: Pride Flags Names, Meanings, And Emoji, Arboreal To Zephyrean: 14 Sizzling Words For Summer Days, Hip-Hop Vs. Rap: A Music, A Culture, And A Phenomenon. Example: The judge is going to talk first to John and then to me. Something happened (reception of a welcome letter) of the time of 2008. For example: Both of my brothers are taller than I am. June 11, 2023. Then has a number of different functions, but it is most commonly used as either an adverb or an adjective. The use of "then" indicates the time and sequence of actions needed to bake bread: The use of "then" shows that the action of baking should happen after the dough has sat for two hours. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. We say then againto introduce a contrasting thought or opposite point of view. The quiz was harder "than" I had expected. Equal, Less and Greater Than Symbols - Math is Fun For example: I like playing basketball more than soccer. This phrase expresses surprise; in reaction to someone saying or doing something unexpected or shocking. Then Versus Than: Grammar and Usage Guide - Owlcation Then can also be used as an adjective to refer to a previous status or to indicate that something belongs to a specific time. A conjunction is a grammatical particle that connects words, sentences, phrases, and clauses. Then - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary As an adjective, then is used meaning existing, being such, or being at the time specified. Common Errors in English: Difficult or Difficulty? Thenis most commonly used as either an adverb, noun or an adjective.3. "Then" is an adverb used to describe a time or the order of events or actions, while "than" is a conjunction used to compare two or more things. David has a Master's in English literature. Different Than vs. The word "then" means "at that time" and is used to talk about when things will happen. In this sentence, "than" is used to show a comparison between the preference for hard copy versus preference for electronic versions of books. I'll see you then. 'Than' is basically used as a conjunction. Some examples are trickier than others, but you can learn to distinguish between these two terms. "Than" and "then" are not homonyms. They have different personalities in that they function as different parts of speech. from https://www.scribbr.com/commonly-confused-words/then-vs-than/. They are spelled alike, except for the, . The second says you prefer to eat first and sleep second. It is commonly used while making comparisons. Lets learn popular phrases with these two words: Learn more about the phrases no earlier than / no later than. '", Additionally, both "than" and "'comparison" have the letter "a" in them, and "then" and "time" both contain the letter "e.". That makes people confused about when or how to use them correctly. Than or Then? - Grammar Monster However, telling them apart is not impossible. Than appears in a lot of idioms. In this sentence, "then" is an adjective describing the noun, Prime Minister. It also introduces the rejected choice in expressions of preference. He cited the example of Black military members who fought in World War II and advocated for civil rights when they returned. For instance, I love country music more than I love pop songs.. "Their" vs. "There" vs. "Theyre": What's The Difference? For example: There are more than 300 jellybeans in this jar. In these cases, you use a subject pronoun after than. For example: Writers often use then instead of than when they're comparing things, mostly because then has more functions than than. I feel like its a lifeline. Even native English speakers mix up these two common words, which are pronounced essentially the same in fast spoken English! (Correct), I would prefer to eat sooner rather then later. We say see you then! after weve made plans to meet up with someone at a specific time: The festival starts at 1, so come on over to my house at 12:30 and well go together.