# 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.

**URL:** https://humanit.app/writing/then-vs-than  ·  **Updated:** July 2026  ·  Humanit

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.

## How it works

1. **Spot 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.
2. **Apply 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.
3. **Check your sentence** — Paste your text into the grammar checker below — it flags the issue and shows the correction.
4. **Re-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.

**Before → after**

| ❌ 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 |

## FAQ

**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.

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_Last updated: June 2026._