Better Than or Better Then – Which Is Correct? (+Examples)

When it comes to choosing between Better, Than, and Then, many people face confusion because these words sound so alike yet mean very different things. In my years of teaching grammar to learners, even native speakers often struggle with this mix-up. The difference may seem minor—just a small letter apart—but it carries a distinct role in a sentence. I still remember the moment I first grasped it; 

understanding it brought a clear, precise sense to my writing. For example, saying “She’s better than her brother at tennis” is correct, while an accidental use of “then” disrupts the meaning entirely. Even at a quick glance, the one-letter swap can alter the message and confuse readers under scrutiny.

From experience, I’ve seen words like “than” and “then” appear similar, which can trick even experienced writers. Understanding this distinction is like flipping a switch in your brain—it’s not just about rules, but intention. 

Every choice matters, and a typo or wrong swap can carry significant weight. In informal writing, these words might look the same, but they aren’t. Taking time to slow down, look, and care about which to use ensures your sentence communicates exactly what you intend.

Understanding the Core Difference: Then vs Than

At first glance, then and than may look similar, but their functions in a sentence are completely different.

• Then relates to time, sequences, or consequences. Think of it as “after that” or “next.”
• Than is used for comparisons. It shows how one thing relates to another in terms of size, quality, preference, or degree.

For example:

• Correct: “She is better than her sister at math.”
• Correct: “We went to dinner, then watched a movie.”

Mixing these two can completely change the meaning of a sentence.

Why People Often Mix Then and Than

There are a few reasons why then and than get confused:

• Homophone confusion: They sound alike, especially in casual speech.
• Informal writing habits: Texting and social media often ignore grammar rules.
• Minor spelling mistakes: A missing “a” or “e” changes the word completely.

Consider this example:

• “I am better then my friend at chess.”
  Here, then is incorrect. It should be than because the sentence is a comparison.

Deep Dive: Using Then

Time-Related Contexts

Then frequently indicates a specific time or moment. It helps the reader understand when something happens.

Examples:

• “I finished my homework, then went to bed.”
• “Back then, smartphones were not common.”

Notice how then naturally places events in a sequence.

Sequences and Outcomes

Then can also show consequences or results. Think of it as “as a result” or “therefore.”

• “Complete your tasks, then you can relax.”
• “He missed the deadline; then he lost the opportunity.”

Action	Then	Result
Missed the train	then	arrived late to work
Studied hard	then	got an A on the exam
Forgot the password	then	couldn’t log in

This table shows how then links cause and effect.

Then as an Adverb, Adjective, and Noun

Adverb: Indicates time

• “I was younger then.”

Adjective: Refers to a specific role at a particular time

• “The then CEO made important decisions.”

Noun: Less common, but can indicate a point in time

• “The then of the agreement was unclear.”

These variations show that then is flexible but always time-related.

Idiomatic Expressions with Then

Then appears in many phrases and idioms:

• “If…then…” statements: logical sequences
• “Then again”: indicates reconsideration
• “From then on”: marks a change or new phase

Example:

• “I thought I failed the exam, but then again, I might have passed.”

Deep Dive: Using Than

The Role of Than in Comparisons

Than is used when comparing two or more things. It shows which is superior, inferior, or different in some way.

Examples:

• “This book is better than the one I read last week.”
• “She is taller than her brother.”

Comparative	Correct Use	Common Mistake
Better	She is better than her colleague.	She is better then her colleague.
Faster	He runs faster than me.	He runs faster then me.
Smaller	This bag is smaller than yours.	This bag is smaller then yours.

Than in Contrast and Preference

Than also appears in sentences showing choice or contrast:

• “I would rather walk than drive.”
• “I’d choose chocolate than vanilla.”

Notice how than helps establish one option over another.

Common Phrases Featuring Than

Many idioms and expressions use than, not then:

• Better late than never – punctuality isn’t perfect, but effort counts.
• More than meets the eye – something is more complex than it appears.
• Nothing more than – emphasizes simplicity or limitation.

Using then in these expressions would be grammatically incorrect.

Spotting Common Errors Between Then and Than

Writers often make these mistakes:

• “He is taller then me.”Correct: “He is taller than me.”
• “We finished dinner, than watched a movie.”Correct: “…then watched a movie.”

A visual guide helps:

Error	Correction	Rule
better then	better than	Comparisons use than
went home, than slept	went home, then slept	Sequences use then
taller then	taller than	Comparisons always use than

Spotting these errors is easy once you remember the functions of each word.

Tips and Tricks to Avoid Confusion

Here are practical ways to remember the difference:

• Mnemonic: “Then = Time, Than = Comparison.”
• Read sentences out loud to see if it makes sense.
• Substitute then with “after that” – if it works, then is correct.
• Substitute than with “compared to” – if it works, than is correct.

Short practice exercises:

1. “I’d rather eat pizza ___ pasta.”
2. “We went shopping, ___ grabbed coffee.”

Answers:

1. than
2. then

Also Read This: Per Say or Per Se? Which Is Correct

Quick Reference Table

Word	Function	Key Tip	Example
Then	Time / Sequence / Consequence	Think of “next” or “after that”	“We went to dinner, then to the movies.”
Than	Comparison / Contrast	Think of comparing two things	“She is taller than her brother.”

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between Better Than and Better Then may seem like a small detail, but it is crucial for clear, precise, and effective writing. Even a one-letter swap can disrupt the meaning of a sentence, confuse learners and native speakers, and alter the intended message. Paying attention to these words, their roles, and distinct meanings ensures your writing communicates exactly what you intend. With time, care, and practice, avoiding this mix-up becomes second nature, making your writing more professional and understood by everyone.

FAQs

Q1: When should I use “than” and when should I use “then”?

A1: Use than for comparisons (better than, taller than), and then for sequences or time (first we eat, then we play).

Q2: Why do people confuse “than” and “then”?

A2: These words sound alike and are only a small letter apart, which tricks even experienced writers.

Q3: Does using “then” instead of “than” make the sentence incorrect?

A3: Yes, it disrupts the meaning and makes the sentence unclear, even if it looks fine at a glance.

Q4: How can I avoid this confusion?

A4: Slow down, look at the words, understand their distinct roles, and practice writing with care.

Q5: Is this mix-up common among native speakers?

A5: Absolutely. Even native speakers, over years of writing and teaching, can struggle with this typo if they don’t pay attention.