The difference between ‘than’ or ‘then’ is so slight that it is almost inevitable that you will end up mixing them up at some point. However, once you have a clear understanding of what each one means, you should be able to spot your mistakes much more easily! Here, I will show you the difference between ‘then’ and ‘than’.
Then
The word ‘then’ is used to refer to time in some way. This could be in a very literal context:
First I went shopping, then I went to the cinema
or in a vaguer sense:
When we have dealt with the problem of budget deficit, then we can start thinking about building infrastructure.
Both of these sentences deal with a progression- one thing is following another.
It is also used in a logical sense but it basically has the same meaning. It can be difficult to grasp subtle ideas like these if English is your second language so do remember to get your work checked over before submitting. Just as something can follow something else in time, so an idea can follow another logically:
If it rains then the streets will be wet.
If you eat too much cake then you will get fat.
Than
The word ‘than’ is always used to talk about contrasts and comparisons. We might say:
My father is tougher than yours.
or
It is more windy in Oklahoma than it is in California.
Make sure you take care with ‘then’ and ‘than’ as, although they look very similar, they have completely different meanings.
Good luck!