When do you use then vs than?

Then and than are two commonly confused words with different meanings and grammatical roles.

Then (pronounced with a short “e” sound) refers to time. It’s often an adverb, but it can also be used as a noun meaning “that time” and as an adjective referring to a previous status.

Than (pronounced with a short “a” sound) is used for comparisons. Grammatically, it usually functions as a conjunction, but sometimes it’s a preposition.

Examples: Then in a sentence	Examples: Than in a sentence
Mix the dry ingredients first, and then add the wet ingredients.	Max is a better saxophonist than you.
I was working as a teacher then.	I usually like coaching a team more than I like playing soccer myself.

Frequently asked questions: Commonly confused words

Is it “log into” or “log in to”?: “Log in” is a phrasal verb meaning “connect to an electronic device, system, or app.” The preposition “to” is often used directly after the verb; “in” and “to” should be written as two separate words (e.g., “log in to the app to update privacy settings”).

“Log into” is sometimes used instead of “log in to,” but this is generally considered incorrect (as is “login to”).
What is a synonym of “compose”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms of the verb compose (meaning “to make up”) are:

Constitute

Embody

Form

Make up

People increasingly use “comprise” as a synonym of “compose.” However, this is normally still seen as a mistake, and we recommend avoiding it in your academic writing. “Comprise” traditionally means “to be made up of,” not “to make up.”
What is a synonym of “comprise”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms of the verb comprise are:

Be composed of

Be made up of

Consist of

Contain

Include

People increasingly use “comprise” interchangeably with “compose,” meaning that they consider words like “compose,” “constitute,” and “form” to be synonymous with “comprise.” However, this is still normally regarded as an error, and we advise against using these words interchangeably in academic writing.
What is a synonym of “whenever”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms for “whenever” include:

Anytime

At any time

On any occasion
What is a synonym of “anytime”?: There are numerous synonyms and near synonyms for the two meanings of anytime:

Whenever You’re welcome

At any time My pleasure

On any occasion No problem
Is “anyways” a word?: Anyway (no “s”) is often used at the start of a sentence to transition between two different topics (e.g., “Anyway, let’s discuss the report”).

“Anyways” (with an “s”) is sometimes used in informal contexts to mean the same thing as “anyway.” However, it’s considered incorrect by most dictionaries and should be avoided in formal contexts.
What is a synonym for “anyway”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms of anyway include:

In any case

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Regardless
What is a synonym of “continuously”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms of continuously include:

Ceaselessly

Constantly

Perpetually
What is a synonym of “continually”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms of continually include:

Frequently

Regularly

Repeatedly
What is a synonym for “council”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms for council include:

Assembly

Board

Committee

Commission

Panel
What is a synonym for “counsel”?: There are numerous synonyms and near synonyms for the two meanings of counsel:

Advise (verb) Advice (noun)

Direct Direction

Guide Guidance

Instruct Instruction
What does “rest assured” mean?: Rest assured is an expression meaning “you can be certain” (e.g., “Rest assured, I will find your cat”). “Assured” is the adjectival form of the verb assure, meaning “convince” or “persuade.”
What is a synonym of “assure”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms of assure include:

Convince

Persuade

Promise
What is a synonym of “ensure”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms of ensure include:

Confirm

Guarantee

Make certain

Make sure

Verify

Find more words that mean the same thing as “ensure” with the help of the paraphrasing tool.
Is it “tune into” or “tune in to”?: “Tune in” is a phrasal verb meaning “watch a TV show” or “listen to a radio show.” The preposition “to” often comes immediately after this phrase; “in” and “to” should be written as separate words when this happens (e.g., “Tune in to the final episode next week”).

“Tune into” is sometimes used instead of “tune in to,” but this is generally considered incorrect.
When do you use its vs. it’s?: Though they’re pronounced the same, there’s a big difference in meaning between its and it’s.

Its (without an apostrophe) is the possessive form of it, so it means “belonging to it.”

“The cat ate its food.”

It’s (with an apostrophe) is a contraction (shortened form) of it is or it has.

“It’s almost Christmas.”
What does despite mean?: Despite is a preposition used to mean “regardless of,” “notwithstanding,” or “even though.”

It’s used in a subordinate clause to contrast with information given in the main clause of a sentence (e.g., “Despite the stress, Joe loves his job”).
What does in spite of mean?: In spite of is a preposition used to mean “regardless of,” “notwithstanding,” or “even though.”

It’s always used in a subordinate clause to contrast with the information given in the main clause of a sentence (e.g., “Amy continued to watch TV, in spite of the time”).
What is a synonym of “between”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms of between include:

In the space separating

In the time separating

Using the paraphrasing tool, look for other words that mean the same thing as “between.”
What is a synonym of “among”?: Some synonyms and near synonyms of among include:

Amid

In the company of

In the middle of

Surrounded by

Immediately find new synonyms for “among’ with the paraphrasing tool.
Is it use to have or used to have?: Use to and used to are commonly confused words. In the case of “used to have”, the latter (with “d”) is correct, since you’re describing an action or state in the past.

I used to have a girlfriend.

We used to have a car.

We used to have classes every day.
Is it visual aid or aide?: A visual aid is an instructional device (e.g., a photo, a chart) that appeals to vision to help you understand written or spoken information. Aid is often placed after an attributive noun or adjective (like “visual”) that describes the type of help provided.

“Visual aide” is incorrect.
Is it teacher’s aid or aide?: A teacher’s aide is a person who assists in teaching classes but is not a qualified teacher. Aide is a noun meaning “assistant,” so it will always refer to a person.

“Teacher’s aid” is incorrect.
Is it job aid or job aide?: A job aid is an instructional tool (e.g., a checklist, a cheat sheet) that helps you work efficiently. Aid is a noun meaning “assistance.” It’s often placed after an adjective or attributive noun (like “job”) that describes the specific type of help provided.

“Job aide” is incorrect.
Is it use to do or used to do?: Use to and used to are commonly confused words. In the case of “used to do”, the latter (with “d”) is correct, since you’re describing an action or state in the past.

I used to do laundry once a week.

They used to do each other’s hair.

We used to do the dishes every day.
Is it used to be or use to be?: Use to and used to are commonly confused words. In the case of “used to be”, the latter (with “d”) is correct, since you’re describing an action or state in the past.

I used to be the new coworker.

There used to be 4 cookies left.

We used to be together every day.
Is it better than or better then?: Then and than are two commonly confused words. In the context of “better than”, you use “than” with an “a”.

Julie is better than Jesse.

I’d rather spend my time with you than with him.

I understand Eoghan’s point of view better than Claudia’s.
Is its or it’s possessive?: Its and it’s are often confused, but its (without apostrophe) is the possessive form of “it” (e.g., its tail, its argument, its wing). You use “its” instead of “his” and “her” for neuter, inanimate nouns.

Whenever	You’re welcome
At any time	My pleasure
On any occasion	No problem

Advise (verb)	Advice (noun)
Direct	Direction
Guide	Guidance
Instruct	Instruction

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