Then vs. Than

Mixing up then and than is super common — even for native speakers! But they have totally different meanings, and learning when to use each one will make your writing much clearer.

Then

Then is used to talk about time, order, or results. It tells us what happens next, or what happened at a certain time.

• We had dinner, then watched a movie.
• I’ll call you later, then we can decide.
• If you study, then you’ll pass the test. ✅

Use then when you're talking about what happens next, or cause and effect.

Than

Than is used to make comparisons — to show a difference between two things.

• She's taller than her brother.
• This phone is cheaper than the other one.
• I’d rather stay home than go out tonight.

Use than when you're comparing one thing to another.