Than or then: which is correct?
Correct
than (comparison) / then (time, sequence)
Avoid
then (in comparisons: "better then")
Avoid
than (for "then")
Summary
Correct: than (comparison) / then (time, sequence) — Avoid: then (in comparisons: "better then") / than (for "then"). Than = the word that follows a comparison (bigger than); then = at that time, or next in sequence.
- Part of speech
- conjunction / adverb
- Source
- Merriam-Webster
Why
Merriam-Webster: than is the conjunction (and preposition) used after comparatives such as better, more or rather; then is an adverb meaning at that time or next. They are often pronounced alike in fast speech, which causes the mix-up.
Examples
- She is taller than her brother.
- Finish the draft, then send it to me.
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- Merriam-Webster · Oxford English Dictionary / Oxford spelling · SCOWL
- Commonly confused and non-standard forms
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