and than (then)

Than and then are short words with different jobs: than compares; then orders time or shows consequence. A quick test and a few examples make it easy to spot which one you need.

Below: a one-sentence rule, clear tests, real work/school/casual examples, copy-ready wrong/right pairs, step-by-step rewrites, spacing and grammar notes, and a short FAQ.

Quick answer

Use than for comparisons (A is taller than B). Use then to show time, sequence, or consequence (do A, then do B; if A, then B).

Than = comparison (more than, less than, rather than).
Then = time/sequence/consequence (first, next, after that, therefore).
Substitution test: If you can replace the word with "after that" or "next," use then. If you are comparing two things, use than.

Core explanation

Than links two items to show difference: fewer, better, taller, older, etc. Then places actions or events in time or states a result. They are not interchangeable.

Comparison examples: "She reads more books than I do." "This model is faster than the old one."
Sequence/consequence examples: "Finish your homework, then watch TV." "If you miss the bus, then call me."

Hyphenation and spacing notes

Neither than nor then is hyphenated or split. Common errors come from writing phrases that sound like multiword units-for example, "rather than" is two words, not "rather-than" or "ratherthen."

Write "rather than" as two words for comparisons.
Avoid inventing hyphens or joining words that are normally separate; check trusted written examples if unsure.

Why writers make this mistake

Confusion usually comes from sound-alike speech, typing fast, or thinking about meaning before checking the sentence. When a phrase sounds right aloud, writers sometimes skip verifying the written form.

Sound-based guessing: hearing rather than thinking about grammar.
Context blindness: focusing on one word instead of the whole sentence.
Overcorrection: trying to "fix" awkward phrasing and ending with the wrong word.

Real usage: work, school, casual

Here are natural examples showing correct uses in common contexts.

Work: "Our Q2 revenue is higher than last quarter's." / "Complete the audit, then send me the summary."
School: "She scored better than most students in the class." / "Finish the lab, then start the write-up."
Casual: "I'd rather stay home than go out tonight." / "We grabbed coffee, then walked through the park."

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence with the substitution trick instead of judging the phrase alone: replace with "after that/next" for then and "compare to" for than. Context usually makes the right choice obvious.

Wrong vs right examples you can copy

These pairs show the correction immediately. Use them as quick references when editing.

Wrong:
Work: Our results are better then expected.
Right:
Work: Our results are better than expected.
Wrong:
School: Turn in the draft then revise it.
Right:
School: Turn in the draft, then revise it.
Wrong:
Casual: I would rather go to the movies then stay home.
Right:
Casual: I would rather go to the movies than stay home.
Wrong:
Work: If the server is down then notify IT.
Right:
Work: If the server is down, then notify IT.
Wrong:
School: She has more credits then he does.
Right:
School: She has more credits than he does.
Wrong:
Casual: Finish your homework than play games.
Right:
Casual: Finish your homework, then play games.

How to fix your own sentence (step-by-step)

Don't just swap words mechanically. Read the full sentence and pick the revision that keeps tone and clarity.

Step 1: Decide whether the sentence compares two things or describes a sequence/result.
Step 2: Apply the substitution test: "after that/next" → then; "compare to/with" → than.
Step 3: Reread and adjust punctuation and flow.

Rewrite:
Original: "This plan is better then expected."
Rewrite: "This plan is better than expected."
Rewrite:
Original: "We ate then left early."
Rewrite: "We ate, then left early." (comma before then joins two independent clauses)
Rewrite:
Original: "Is that option better then this one?"
Rewrite: "Is that option better than this one?"

A simple memory trick

Link the sound to the role: think "thAN = compARE" (both have an A sound) and "thEN = aftEr that/Next" (EN → Next). Use the substitution test until it becomes automatic.

Practice by scanning recent drafts for the two words and correcting any flips in bulk.
Create a short checklist: meaning → substitution → punctuation.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Fixing one error often reveals nearby issues. Watch for these common patterns.

Split words written as one or hyphenated incorrectly.
Wrong preposition after comparative phrases (prefer X to Y, not prefer X than Y).
Comma misuse when joining independent clauses with then.

Grammar notes

Keep a few quick rules in mind when you edit:

Use than after comparatives and quantifiers: more than, less than, rather than.
Use then for time, sequence, or a logical result: first... then..., if... then...
Comma use: place a comma before then when it joins two full independent clauses (We left, then we drove home). No comma is needed for short adverbial uses (We then realized our mistake).

FAQ

Is it 'than' or 'then' after 'more'?

Use than. "More" signals comparison: "more experience than we expected."

Can 'then' ever be used for comparison?

Almost never. Then signals time or consequence; if you mean compare, choose than.

Do I always need a comma before 'then'?

No. Use a comma when then joins two independent clauses. Skip the comma for short adverbial placements.

What about 'rather than' vs 'rather then'?

'Rather than' is the correct comparative phrase. 'Rather then' would be about time and usually indicates a mistake.

Quick check for a sentence?

Try substitution: replace with "after that/next" for then and "compare to/with" for than. If still unsure, rewrite to remove the ambiguous construction (e.g., "prefer X to Y").

Want a fast second check?

If a sentence still feels off, paste it into a grammar checker for a quick flag. Combine that automated flag with the substitution test above for a reliable fix.