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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Than vs then

Hello. I'm having a debate with a friend over which to use, than or then. The use was:
"It doesn't hurt outrageously bad, but enough to bother me sometimes."
"Ah ok, the same as my nose (than/then)"
Which is the right form for this use? Thank you
  

Top answer

I'm having a debate with a friend over which to use, than or then. " "Ah ok, the same as my nose (than/then)" Which is the right form for this use? Use 'then'.

— Clive

  • I'm having a debate with a friend over which to use, than or then.
  • " "Ah ok, the same as my nose (than/then)" Which is the right form for this use?
  • Use 'then'.
  • Here, it indicates a deduction.
  • eg Tom: Look, that man is using an umbrella.
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2 Answers
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I'm having a debate with a friend over which to use, than or then. The use was:
"It doesn't hurt outrageously badly, but enough to bother me sometimes."
"Ah ok, the same as my nose (than/then)"
Which is the right form for this use?

Use 'then'. Here, it indicates a deduction.
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It may be useful to emphasise that "than" and "then" have complelely non-overlapping meanings. There is no situation in which they can be interchanged. By coincidence they are spelt similarly, that's all.

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Actually, it seems that they are spelt similarly because they have similar origins, so it is not a coincidence. However, most modern speakers would not be aware of this, and
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