Then vs. Than

This week’s grammar refresher is dedicated to the tricky duo of “then” and “than.”  Although the two words are only  separated by one letter, their meanings differs greatly.  The good news is that the difference is easy to remember. Then vs. Than Then:  “Then” is the more versatile of the two words.  It can be used to describe multiple instances including:

• A moment in time
  • Example: Gas prices were lower then.
• Sequential order
  • Example: First you wash the car and then you dry it.
• As a consequence
  • Example: If the stove is red, then it’s hot.

Than: The usage of “than” is simple because it is only used in comparisons. Example:  My dog is smaller than your dog. Bonus tip: The easiest way to avoid confusion is to use “than” if you’re comparing something and use “then” for all other statements. If you have any suggestions or requests for our weekly grammar refreshers email them to us at info@miss-ink.com.