Then and Than, there IS a difference.

screwey's Avatar
THAN


Unlike then, than is not related to time. Than is used in comparative statements.




EXAMPLES:


~Another pair of words that I see misused far more often
than
not is than and then.
~He is taller than I am.
~Other than the interest on a small inheritance, he had no income.
~Today's students certainly do seem to read less than students in previous generations did.
~We learned more on the playground than we did in the classroom.
~Despite their lack of flavor, the hothouse tomatoes cost far more than those from the farmers' market.




THEN


Then is used either as a time marker or with a sequence of events.




EXAMPLES:


~I took all of the exams in the morning, and then I spent the rest of the day catching up on sleep.
~Back then we knew what was expected of us.
~I bought apples from this orchard last summer, but I seem to remember paying more for them then.
~Look over the study guide first, and then if you still have questions bring them up in class.


HTH...
nuglet's Avatar
Ok, basic knowledge... now what?
screwey's Avatar
Ok, basic knowledge... now what? Originally Posted by nuglet

Hoping some folks might read it, then apply it; sooner than later.
Sir Hardin Thicke's Avatar
sooner "than" later or sooner "then" later?
screwey's Avatar
sooner "than" later or sooner "then" later? Originally Posted by Sir Hardin Thicke
That all depends on context.....
Thanks, screwey. Glad to know I can cancel my membership to the grammar community information exchange and get my daily dose here. Keep 'em coming.
Sammy75's Avatar
There, their, they're.

Further, farther.

Its, it's.

Eventually you just get numb to it.
screwey's Avatar
Oh, and:

prolly <-- NOT A WORD
sooner "than" later or sooner "then" later? Originally Posted by Sir Hardin Thicke

Sooner beforelater. Right? Huh?
Sooner beforelater. Right? Huh? Originally Posted by Sweet Heather
Unless you want it twice, sooner then later.
78704's Avatar
  • 78704
  • 04-28-2010, 06:00 PM
Discreet, discrete.
knotty man's Avatar
i hate the T9 feature on texts. accidentally txt a provider that i wanted to "kick her puppy". damn cell phones!!
rCoder's Avatar
Then is also used in conditionals. If condition, then asserted action, else deasserted action. If I hobby, then it's a team sport, else it's an individual event.

Then can also be implied in conditions. Asserted action if condition. I hobby if I have the money, time, and need.

See, grammar can be hobby related!
Monk Rasputin's Avatar
"Step away from the passive pluperfect participle, sir..."



Monk
rCoder's Avatar
Having been educated by Sir Monk and Wiktionary...