Then vs. Than- There IS a difference!

Grammar Rant #1: Then vs. Than, the Smackdown
by Deb Taber
I’ve noticed a grammar flaw lately that baffles me. Maybe it’s the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon but I’ve noticed an increasing number of people who can’t tell the difference between the words 'then' and 'than'. Either that or they just don’t care enough to choose the right one in their writing.
The problem with this is that although the two words look and sound similar, they are not interchangeable; one denotes a comparison while the other deals with order of events or dependency. Not good at remembering grammar rules? No problem. The mnemonic is right there in the definitions.

Then deals with order of events or dependency.

• Example 1: If Jason reads Orgy of Souls before bed, then he’ll have blasphemous nightmares. Poor Jason won’t have had the blasphemous nightmares unless he reads the book before bed; one is dependent on the other.
• Example 2: The Apex Global Domination Plan will conquer planet Earth, then set its sights on the rest of the galaxy.

Earth first, then the rest: order of events.
So how is this easy to remember? Frankly, this one isn’t the problem most people have, but just in case you forget:
Then = order of events or dependency. Check out all those pretty little Es. Not a single A to be found. Just like then.

Now for the flip side:
Than is all about comparisons.
Yes, you’ve got it: Than = comparison. No E in sight. More than, less than, meaner than, etc. Where some people get confused is when there is a word or phrase between the more, less, meaner, etc. and the than.

• Example 3: More people now than ever before have succumbed to the alien overlords.

Don’t let the time reference (before) throw you off. Than goes with more. It’s a comparison, so give it the A.

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