..., than (then)

Writers often type than when they mean then, or vice versa, because the words sound the same. Below: a clear quick answer, compact rules, many wrong/right pairs you can copy, and practical fixes for work, school, and casual writing.

Quick answer: Which to use

Than = comparison. Then = time, sequence, or result.

Than: compares two or more items (taller than, more than).
Then: orders events or marks a result/condition (first X, then Y; if X, then Y).
Quick test: substitute a time word such as after or next - if it fits, use then; if you're comparing, use than.

Core explanation: what each word does

Than links items for comparison: adjective/adverb + than (taller than, more than). Then marks time, sequence, or consequence: we did X, then Y; if X, then Y.

They sound the same in speech; choose the word that matches the role in writing.

Comparison patterns: X is ADJ(er)/more ADJ than Y; rather than; no sooner ... than.
Sequence/time patterns: do X, then do Y; back then; if ... then.

Wrong: She is taller then her brother.
Right: She is taller than her brother.
Wrong: We finished the meeting than left for lunch.
Right: We finished the meeting, then left for lunch.

Grammar rules and tricky edge cases

Memorize a few fixed patterns so you don't second-guess yourself: "no sooner ... than", "rather than", and conditional "if ... then". Elliptical comparisons still use than (stronger than his).

Note one frequent trap: prefer usually pairs with to (prefer X to Y), not than, although more/less comparisons use than.

No sooner ... than (not then).
Rather than connects alternatives (not then).
If ... then marks condition/result (use then).
Elliptical comparisons: 'stronger than his' still uses than.

Wrong: No sooner had we sat then the phone rang.
Right: No sooner had we sat than the phone rang.
Wrong: I'd rather cook then order in.
Right: I'd rather cook than order in.
Wrong: If prices fall than demand will increase.
Right: If prices fall, then demand will increase.

Punctuation, spacing, and hyphenation pitfalls

Commas, spacing, and hyphens change meaning. Use a comma before then when it links two full clauses in sequence (Finish this, then submit it). Don't put a comma before a simple comparison (better than last year).

Hyphenation: don't hyphenate "more than" phrases unless the whole compound is an established adjective before a noun (larger-than-life is an exception used before a noun).

Avoid a comma before a basic comparative clause: "better than last year" (no comma).
Use a comma before then when it connects full clauses in sequence: "Finish this, then submit it."
Watch accidental double spaces around than/then when typing quickly.
Hyphenate only when the phrase is a fixed compound used adjectivally before a noun.

Wrong: I would rather stay home, than go out.
Right: I would rather stay home than go out.
Wrong: She looked more then usual.
Right: She looked more than usual.
Wrong: The event was larger-then-life.
Right: The event was larger than life.

Examples you can copy: work, school, and casual

Each pair is a realistic scenario and the minimal correction. Copy the corrected sentence when it matches your meaning.

Work: keep comparisons precise in reports, emails, and dashboards.
School: use clear comparisons in essays, feedback, and lab reports.
Casual: correct words keep meaning clear in texts and captions.

Work - Wrong: This quarter's results are better then last quarter.
Work - Right: This quarter's results are better than last quarter.
Work - Wrong: Sales are higher then expected.
Work - Right: Sales are higher than expected.
Work - Wrong: Please finish the draft then send it to me.
Work - Right: Please finish the draft, then send it to me.
School - Wrong: Her argument is stronger then his.
School - Right: Her argument is stronger than his.
School - Wrong: I'd rather revise my essay then cram for the exam.
School - Right: I'd rather revise my essay than cram for the exam.
School - Wrong: More then the grade, the feedback mattered.
School - Right: More than the grade, the feedback mattered.
Casual - Wrong: I like pizza more then burgers.
Casual - Right: I like pizza more than burgers.
Casual - Wrong: He's taller then me.
Casual - Right: He's taller than I am.
Casual - Wrong: Let's grab coffee then head to the show.
Casual - Right: Let's grab coffee, then head to the show.

Fast wrong/right checklist (rapid fixes)

Use these quick swaps as a mental checklist while proofreading.

Wrong: I'd rather sleep then work. →
Right: I'd rather sleep than work.
Wrong: Back then I used a flip phone than a smartphone. →
Right: Back then I used a flip phone.
Wrong: More then twice the size. →
Right: More than twice the size.
Wrong: If you arrive late than we'll start without you. →
Right: If you arrive late, then we'll start without you.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the single word. Context usually makes the right answer clear.

How to fix your sentence: rewrite templates

When unsure, use a template: one conservative option and one concise alternative.

Original: "If you study harder then you'll pass." → Conservative: "If you study harder, then you'll pass." →
Concise: "Study harder and you'll pass."
Original: "More then the cost, the timeline matters." →
Rewrite: "The timeline matters more than the cost."
Original: "I'd rather watch a movie then sleep." →
Rewrite: "I'd rather watch a movie than sleep." →
Alternative: "I'd prefer watching a movie to sleeping."
Original: "Finish the report then email it." →
Rewrite: "Finish the report, then email it." →
Alternative: "After you finish the report, email it."
Original: "She is smarter then me." →
Rewrite: "She is smarter than I am." →
Casual: "She's smarter than me."
Original: "No sooner had he rung the bell then the door opened." →
Rewrite: "No sooner had he rung the bell than the door opened."

Real usage and tone: when precision matters

In formal writing-reports, grant applications, academic essays-mixing than/then reduces credibility. In casual writing, readers often infer meaning, but correct usage prevents ambiguity.

Formal: keep comparisons tight - "The treatment proved more effective than the control."
Casual: mark sequence with a comma before then - "We grabbed tacos, then walked home."
If unsure in formal contexts, restructure the sentence to remove the ambiguous word (see rewrite templates).

Memory tricks, quick checks and micro-practice

Two quick mnemonics and a short proofreading routine stop most slips.

Mnemonic 1: Than = comparison - both have an 'a' (think "a vs b").
Mnemonic 2: Then = time/order - both have an 'e' (think "event" or "next").
30-second check: (1) Is it comparing? If yes, type than. (2) Is it ordering events or conditional? If yes, type then. (3) Is there a comma before the word? If so, check for sequence.

Practice: Change "We ate then we left" to "We ate, then we left."
Practice: Change "More then money, time is the issue" to "More than money, time is the issue."

Similar mistakes to watch for

Writers who mix up than/then sometimes mischoose other near-homophones or functional words. The same "test the role" strategy helps.

Affect / Effect: test verb vs noun - "This will affect results" vs "The effect is clear."
Who / Whom: substitute he/him to test (him → whom).
Lay / Lie: test transitivity - lay (needs an object) vs lie (no object).

Usage: Affect vs effect: "The change will affect sales." / "The effect on sales was immediate."
Usage: Who vs whom: "Who attended?" vs "To whom should I send this?"
Usage: Lay vs lie: "Lay the book on the table." vs "I will lie down."

FAQ

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

Use than after rather: "I'd rather walk than drive."

Can I ever put a comma before 'than'?

Rarely. Most simple comparisons don't need a comma. Only use one if the comparative clause is clearly parenthetical.

Which should I use in conditional sentences?

Use then in conditionals: "If you finish early, then we can leave."

How do I stop mixing them when typing fast?

Use a two-step check: (1) read for comparison vs sequence, (2) run a search for then/than before sending. Keyboard macros or grammar tools help if it happens often.

Will a grammar checker always catch these errors?

Many checkers flag likely misuses but can miss context. A quick manual role check (comparison vs sequence) catches edge cases.

Need a quick second check?

If a sentence still feels off, paste it into a grammar tool or run the 30-second check from Memory Tricks. Copy a rewrite template into your draft to remove ambiguity fast.