Then vs Than: Examples & How to Fix It
Than compares (“better than expected”); then marks time or sequence (“finish this, then rest”). Memory trick: thAn = compArison, thEn = timE — if you could swap in “next” or “after that”, the word you need is then. Paste your own sentence into the free checker below to fix it in one click.
Than compares (“better than expected”); then marks time or sequence (“finish this, then rest”). Memory trick: thAn = compArison, thEn = timE — if you could swap in “next” or “after that”, the word you need is then.
How it works
- 1Spot the pattern. Check what the word is doing. If two things are being weighed against each other, the slot needs than. If the sentence is moving through time — first this, next that — or completing an “if…”, it needs then.
- 2Apply the rule. Try the swap test: replace the word with “next” or “after that”. If the sentence still makes sense, write then. If it collapses, you’re comparing something — write than.
- 3Check your sentence. Paste your text into the grammar checker below — it flags the issue and shows the correction.
- 4Re-read it. Read the corrected version aloud to confirm it says exactly what you meant.
The rule
Than is only ever used in comparisons — taller than, rather than, more often than not. Then handles everything about time and order: what happens next, what follows from a condition (“if… then”), and “at that time”.
How to spot it
Check what the word is doing. If two things are being weighed against each other, the slot needs than. If the sentence is moving through time — first this, next that — or completing an “if…”, it needs then.
How to fix it
Try the swap test: replace the word with “next” or “after that”. If the sentence still makes sense, write then. If it collapses, you’re comparing something — write than.
The most common mistake
Writing “more then” and “rather then”. Both phrases are comparisons, so they always take than — “more than”, “rather than” — no matter how natural “then” sounds out loud. If you’re not sure whether your sentence has the problem, paste it into the checker above — it catches this and explains the fix in plain language.
| ❌ Incorrect | ✓ Corrected | Why |
|---|---|---|
| She is taller then me. | She is taller than me. | Comparison = than |
| First mix the batter, than bake it. | First mix the batter, then bake it. | Sequence = then |
| I would rather walk then drive. | I would rather walk than drive. | “Rather” sets up a comparison |
| More often then not, we agree. | More often than not, we agree. | Comparison phrase = than |
| If it rains, than we stay home. | If it rains, then we stay home. | “If… then” = sequence |
Frequently asked questions
Then or than — which is correct?
Than for comparisons (“faster than light”); then for time and sequence (“we ate, then left”). They are never interchangeable, even though they sound nearly identical.
Is it “more then” or “more than”?
“More than” — always. “More” signals a comparison, and comparisons take than. The same goes for “less than”, “rather than”, and “other than”.
What is an easy way to remember then vs than?
thAn = compArison, thEn = timE/sequEnce. Or use the swap test: if “next” or “after that” fits the slot, write then; otherwise write than.
Is “different than” wrong?
It’s common in American English (“different than expected”), though many style guides prefer “different from” before a noun. What’s never right is “different then”.
How do I check my own writing for this?
Paste your text into the free grammar checker on this page. It flags the issue, suggests a correction, and explains why — so you learn the rule, not just the fix.
Is it free?
Yes — 3 free runs every day with up to 500 words per run, no credit card to start. Upgrade for a larger word pool, or use the free iOS app.