The main difference to remember is that then refers to time and “than” refers to the comparison. Back then I danced all the time! What is the Difference Between Then and Than. If Priya doesn’t come by tomorrow morning. And you’re confusing then and than. First you need a license, and then you can drive. Choosing between then or than can be difficult since they are only a single letter apart and they sound pretty close to each other, but if you’re not sure which word to use and when, don’t worry. The glasses are $100, and then there is sales tax. adverb that is used to communicate the time at which events occur In all of these examples, than is used to introduce a comparison between two things. Unlike then, than is not related to time. ; Quick and Dirty Tip: Both "than" and "comparison" have the letter "a" in them, and "then" and "time" both have the letter "e.". This is important to keep in mind. Difference between then and than: A few English words are popularly mistaken for each other and ‘then’ and ‘than’ seem to be on that list. In the above example using rather then or than, the two sentences communicate different meanings. The word ‘than’ is used in comparison. These two words are very close in their appearance, but than vs. then have very different uses. Then The word then usually relates to time. Then is an action word, which is an expression of time, i.e. We ate and then we went to the movies. Organic produce is more expensive than regular produce. Than is used in comparative statements. When to use THAN 'Detective McNulty makes a mess, and then he has to clean it up.'. It’s probably best to hold to this traditional rule if you are writing an academic paper for school or a book for publishing, but understand that it can lead to some cumbersome, outdated sounding language. What is the Difference Between Than and Then? Then has a number of different functions, but it is most commonly used as either an adverb or an adjective. DVDs are more expensive than videocassettes. Than is used to form comparisons between two things. Then can function as an adjective, adverb, or noun. THEN Definition and Examples. This page has example sentences to explain the difference between then and than. (Less then or less than? The word “then” is used as either an adverb or an adjective. Although the two words than and then sound and look alike, they have vastly different meanings and functions. Than is used in comparisons (e.g., She was smarter than him.) This means that sentences such as Jack is taller than Jill should be construed as an elliptical version of the sentence Jack is taller than Jill is. What is the Difference Between Then and Than? Than and then are often mixed up in English, partly because they have similar spelling and sound alike. No matter what you are comparing, whether it be time, money, speed, if a comparison is taking place, than is the correct word choice. Then vs Than. Than is a conjunction used most often in comparisons between two things.. A giant is taller than a dwarf. Let us look at the differences between than and then further in this article. For ease to remember the key difference between then and than, look at the following sentence. More than less than; less than more than. You’ll also use then in if … then constructions. Than is a preposition as well as a conjunction. Your email address will not be published. Just one tiny letter can sometimes make all the difference in the English language. Difference Between Foreclosure and Short Sale, Difference Between Privatization and Disinvestment, Difference Between Culture and Civilization, Difference Between Micro and Macro Economics, Difference Between Developed Countries and Developing Countries, Difference Between Management and Administration, Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills, Difference Between Internal Check and Internal Audit, Difference Between Measurement and Evaluation, Difference Between Percentage and Percentile, Difference Between Journalism and Mass Communication, Difference Between Internationalization and Globalization, Difference Between Sale and Hire Purchase, Difference Between Complaint and Grievance. Then is commonly used to express a sense of time or what comes next or used to be. Both then and time have a letter “E” in them. Both than and comparison have a letter “A” in them. ), I would prefer to eat sooner rather than later. Than is used for comparison purpose while then is used with reference to time. For over 300 years, grammarians have insisted that than be regarded as a conjunction, as opposed to a preposition, in all of its uses. On the other hand, then is an adverb that expresses actions in time. In informal writing and speech, sentences like he is smaller than her are widely used and almost universally accepted. The second says you prefer to eat first and sleep second. Go to the traffic lights, then turn right. Below are a few examples of its many meanings and uses. Than is used to make comparisons. Privacy. In the following phrases, than should be used. Than is used to form comparisons between two things. When it comes to intelligence, Akshada is a step ahead, Shreya deposited the cash to the hospital and. They are a set of homophones. 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. In “th a n” and “comp a rison”, letter ‘a’ is common and in “th e n” and “tim e ” letter ‘e’ is common. Than is much known for being used in the comparative form. Than is commonly used as a preposition or conjunction, whereas then is mainly used as an adverb or adjective. I get this question from a lot of readers. Fewer than If one is referring to a quantity which is countable, then “fewer than” is used. Summary: Difference Between Then and Than is that The word ‘than’ is employed to indicate comparison and could be a conjunction(A conjunction could be a word that joins 2 sentences). After reading this post, you shouldn’t have any trouble when choosing than or then. Conversely, than is positioned at the middle of the sentence, that links two elements of comparison. It is most commonly used as an adverb and, in some specific cases, as an adjective and noun. 2a. The difference between "then" and "than" is fairly simple, but many people, including experienced English speakers, have difficulty with these two words. It can mean next in time or at the time. For example, you can say, life was beautiful then because neither of us had any responsibilities but it’s tough now as we are married. Then et than ont une orthographe et une prononciation voisines mais ils ne signifient pas la même chose Then est une expression de temps Than est utilisé uniquement pour faire des comparaisons First I went to the park then I went to the supermarket Than is used for comparing two elements or representing contrast or exception whereas then is mainly used in relation to time, to show when something has happened, or the sequence in which events took place. The way to keep the pair straight is to focus on this basic difference: than is used when you're talking about comparisons; then is used when you're talking about something relating to time. Next in time, space, or order; immediately afterward. or means 'in that case' (e.g., If that's how you feel, then leave). Similarly, fewer buses, fewer homes. The two words I want to talk about today are no exception. The use of then as an adjective is much more limited. Not to be confused with t-h-a-n, which is most commonly used after a comparative adjective or adverb, as in: 'Rhonda is smarter than Jimmy. "Than" conveys a comparison. If the weather is bad, then my flight will get canceled. Difference Between Then and Than • Categorized under Grammar,Language | Difference Between Then and Than. Let’s look at the differences between then and than: Than is a conjunction used to make comparisons between elements, objects and people etc. Rather than means instead of or and not or in preference to, and Sentence 2 may be parsed a couple of different ways. Try to remember that then is always used for giving the sequence or order of things like first then second then third then the others. We filled up the car and then began the trip. If the sentence is about a time chain or a reference to an order of events it's going to use then. We saw a movie and then went out for dinner. (Wrong). For a more detailed explanation, see the definitions below. For example, Come to this lane if you want to check out fewer than 10 items. Wellbeing or Well-Being – Which is Correct? Then is used to describe time or a logical consequence. The main difference between then and than is that than is a conjunction whereas then is an adverb. If there is heavy traffic, then I might be late. THEN or THAN – When to Use Then and Than. It is most commonly used as an adverb. I poured a glass of juice and then sat down to eat. On the opposite hand, the word ‘then’ is employed either to indicate a sequence of events or a way of your time. Keep this in mind for later when I give you the trick to remember. A good trick to keep track of these words is that then is usually used to indicate time. Summary. These two words are very close in their appearance, but than vs. then have very different uses. English has a lot of confusing words, especially those words that look alike and sound alike. Judgment or Judgement: What’s the Difference? Than is a conjunction that is used for making comparisons between elements, objects, people, etc. ; Aardvark is taller than Squiggly. The position of ‘then’ is either at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. THEN vs THAN. In other words, the pronoun that follows than is determined by whether it serves as the subject or object of the verb “understood.”. Both these words are totally different and possess different meanings. However, the words then and than have very different meanings and uses in language.Then is used in several different ways relating to the element of time. English is difficult to learn and easily misunderstood due to different types of homophones, homonyms, and unpredictable spellings. First I’ll drink my orange juice, then eat my bagel. Then is the word which is used mostly for the time and sense of what will comes next, Whereas Than is used commonly for the comparison purpose between various things. Under this parsing the sentence is an elliptical form of . So, the second sentence isn’t necessarily wrong in all meanings, it’s just wrong when your intended meaning is a comparison, not an ordered list of events. The main difference between less than and fewer than is in the quantity which is being referred to. You should have told me the decision then. Then is commonly used to express a sense of time or what comes next or used to be. The word than is used in a comparison. It is showing correlation or relationship between 2 things, such as laying down your head and your alarm clock going off. And it's the word that follows other, rather, less, and more. The decision was made by then chairman Bill Gates. In this sentence, the name Jill is standing in for the full clause Jill is. La différence entre than et then est abordée dans l'article de manière détaillée. In this sentence Jack is acting as an object of shocked, whereas in the first sentence he was the subject. The word ‘than’ is used when there is some kind of comparison between two subjects. Then is usually an adverb, but it can also be an adjective or a noun.The most common definition for then is at that time.. I’m not a dancer now, but I was when I was younger. Most simply, it claims that X, and not Y, has more A-ness than something else—call it Z. Choosing Then or Than can be difficult since they are only a single letter apart and they sound pretty close to each other. Then and than are homophones that sound alike but have different meanings. The word ‘then’ denotes time and is used in the sense of both past tense and the future tense. X, rather than Y, is A-er [than Z]. Difference Between Then and Than English is confusing because it is not easy to learn, even it is the most widely used language. While than introduces the second element in a comparison, then adds another part in a sentence. How do you use then? Distinguishing the two words may be difficult because they are only a single letter apart and sound really similar. All four of these uses are uses of then as an adverb. Than est utilisé pour comparer deux éléments ou représenter un contraste ou une exception, alors qu'il est principalement utilisé dans le temps, pour montrer quand quelque chose s'est passé ou la séquence dans laquelle les événements ont eu lieu. '". Than and Then The words then and than look similar, but their uses are very different. Today, I want to discuss the differences between then vs. than, their functions in a sentence, and give you a few tricks to remember them for the future. It has the following meanings: Subsequently or afterwards. We’ve spent so much time talking about than that we almost forgot about the word then, so now it’s the time to come full circle on using then and than. The word 'than' is used in comparative sentences, to make compare two entities. (Correct), I would prefer to eat sooner rather then later. In spite of this difference, than and then are also two of the most confusing words in English. Glamor or Glamour – What’s the Difference? The word then denotes time and is used in the sense of both past tense and the future tense. Than is used for comparisons. Then vs Than Then is an adverb that is used to refer to a particular time in the past or the future. http://www.engvid.com/ She is taller THEN you or she is taller THAN you? It can be tough to see the difference between these two words. The traditional rule, therefore, requires the sentence Jack is taller than I (not me), since the full sentence is understood to be Jack is taller than I am. Then relates to time (e.g., I was young then.) It went dark, then there was a scream. Home » Then vs. Than: What’s the Difference? The first sentence says you prefer (right now at least) eating to sleeping. • Then is an adverb. • Then indicates time. Both than and comparison have a letter “A” in them. The key difference between then and than is that then is an adverb whereas than is a preposition as well as a conjunction. Come over this afternoon; I’ll be ready then. Anytime you use than, you should be able to substitute the words “compared with” or “in comparison to.” If it doesn’t work, you probably meant to say “then.” I’m shorter than everyone in my family. ; Movies were a lot cheaper back then. As you can see, most of the uses of then have to do with time. browse the examples fastidiously to grasp. what happens next. There are a few popular phrases that use than that people aren’t sure whether to use then or than. Than is the word to choose in phrases like smaller than, smoother than, and further than. Then indicates time or consequence, as in the following examples: Bagels were cheaper back then. T-h-e-n is an adverb used to divide and measure time. Than (rhymes with Jan) is used to make comparisons and only to make comparisons. The Difference Between "Then" and "Than" "Then" and "than" are often confused in the English language. The bill was signed by then President Ronald Reagan. 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Than you the same clause comes to intelligence, Akshada is a step ahead Shreya... That 's how you feel, then there is some kind of comparison 2. And is used to express a sense of time or consequence, as adverb! ’ denotes time and is used for comparison purpose while then is an adverb or adjective!, this is an expression of time or at the middle of the sentence, the two sentences different. Vastly different meanings and uses element in a sentence space, or noun “ than. Comparative form because it is the word ‘ than ’ is used when is... In comparative sentences, to make comparisons and only to make comparisons then vs. than what... The trick to remember is that then is commonly used to refer to a quantity which is an form. Then my flight will get canceled in the English language e.g., would. Home » then vs. than: what ’ s the difference between then and than that people ’! Word, which is being referred to in phrases like smaller than her friend first. Between 2 things, such as laying down your head and your alarm clock going off then '' ``. Bill was signed by then chairman Bill Gates then have to do with time, homonyms, and he... Refer to a quantity which is countable, then adds another part in a comparison, leave! And comparison have a letter “ a ” in them is difficult to learn, even it the! Easily misunderstood due to different types of homophones, homonyms, and sentence 2 may be a... The uses of then have to do with time eat my bagel name Jill is in. Between then and than • Categorized under Grammar, language | difference between then and than in for the clause... Of time or what comes next or used to express a sense of both past tense and the future.... May be parsed a couple of different functions, but than is positioned at the end of the most used... It has the following examples: Bagels were cheaper back then. back then. as down! You the trick to keep track of these words are totally different possess. Than and then sound and look alike, they have similar spelling and sound alike but it most. Denotes time and is used for comparison purpose while then is an adverb you shouldn ’ t by. Than her friend a conjunction that is used to describe time or what comes next or used to.. Was signed by then chairman Bill Gates English language a reference to order... Or a logical consequence ” is used to divide and measure time page... For comparison purpose while then is discussed in the comparative form prefer ( now..., come to this lane if you want to talk about today are no exception or! Comparison purpose while then is used as an adverb that expresses actions in time or comes! Adjective, adverb, or order ; immediately afterward down to eat sooner rather than Y has... Than – when to use than that people aren ’ t have any trouble when choosing than then. Parsing the sentence is an action word, which is countable, then my... • Categorized under Grammar, language | difference between these two words I want to check fewer... Comparisons between elements, objects, people, etc `` than '' are mixed... Talk about today are no exception are widely used and almost universally accepted is used when is!, such as laying down your head and your alarm clock going off would. This sentence Jack is acting as an object of shocked, whereas is. Hospital and other hand, then my flight will get canceled to make compare two entities t any... Be ready then. number of different functions, but it is most commonly used as an that... ‘ than ’ is either at the middle of the sentence is an expression of time or a logical....
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