Quick answer: Use “than” for comparisons (जैसे: He is taller than me / वह मुझसे लंबा है) and “then” for time or sequence (जैसे: First eat, then play / पहले खाओ, फिर खेलो). If you’re comparing two things, it’s always “than.” If you’re talking about when something happens or what comes next, it’s “then.”
Hindi speakers learning English frequently mix up “then” and “than” because these words sound nearly identical when spoken aloud. The confusion gets worse because Hindi uses different grammatical structures for comparisons (से) and sequence (फिर/तब), so there’s no single Hindi word that maps directly to either English term. I’ve corrected this exact mistake in hundreds of emails, essays, and job applications written by Hindi speakers, and today I’ll show you exactly how to get it right every single time.
| Term | Meaning / When to use | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Than | Comparison (तुलना) – used when comparing two people, things, or actions | My sister is smarter than me. / मेरी बहन मुझसे होशियार है। |
| Then | Time/Sequence (समय/क्रम) – used to show when something happens or what comes next | Finish your chai, then go to school. / चाय खत्म करो, फिर स्कूल जाओ। |
When to use “Than” (तुलना के लिए)
“Than” is exclusively used for making comparisons between two or more things. According to Merriam-Webster, “than” functions as a conjunction or preposition that introduces the second element in a comparison. In Hindi grammar, this typically translates to sentences using “से” (se) for comparative statements.
Think of “than” as the word that answers the question “किससे?” (compared to what/whom?). Whenever you’re saying one thing is bigger, smaller, better, worse, faster, slower, or any other comparative quality relative to something else, you need “than.”
Here are real examples showing the correct usage:
- “This laptop is more expensive than that one.” (यह लैपटॉप उससे ज्यादा महंगा है।)
- “I would rather stay home than go to that party.” (मैं उस पार्टी में जाने से घर रहना पसंद करूंगा।)
- “She works harder than anyone else in the office.” (वह ऑफिस में किसी और से ज्यादा मेहनत करती है।)
Let me show you a concrete mistake I fixed just last week in a job application email. The original sentence read: “I have more experience then other candidates.” This is wrong because the person is comparing their experience to others. The corrected version: “I have more experience than other candidates.” That one-letter change (e to a) can be the difference between getting an interview and getting rejected.
Another common scenario: WhatsApp messages. I see Hindi speakers constantly write things like “She is better then him at cricket.” Every single time, it should be “better than him” because you’re comparing cricket skills between two people.
When to use “Then” (समय या क्रम के लिए)
“Then” deals with time, sequence, or logical consequences. It tells you when something happens or what comes next in a series of events. In Hindi, “then” usually translates to “फिर” (phir), “तब” (tab), or “उसके बाद” (uske baad), depending on the context.
Use “then” when you’re describing:
- The order of events (पहले यह हुआ, then वह हुआ)
- A specific time in the past or future (उस समय / उस वक्त)
- The result or consequence of something (तो / इसलिए)
Grammarly explains that “then” can function as an adverb, adjective, or noun, but its core meaning always relates to time or sequence rather than comparison.
Real-world examples:
- “First finish your homework, then you can play video games.” (पहले अपना होमवर्क खत्म करो, फिर तुम वीडियो गेम खेल सकते हो।)
- “Back then, we didn’t have smartphones.” (उस समय हमारे पास स्मार्टफोन नहीं थे।)
- “If it rains, then the match will be cancelled.” (अगर बारिश हुई, तो मैच रद्द कर दिया जाएगा।)
Here’s an actual resume mistake I corrected for a client applying to an IT company in Bangalore. Their original bullet point said: “Managed project Phase 1, then moved to Phase 2.” Wait—that’s actually correct! But they had written “than” in three other places describing timeline sequences. The fixed version read: “Completed Phase 1 in March, then led Phase 2 from April to June.” Using “then” correctly here showed the hiring manager that this candidate understands chronological progression.
Text message example: A friend once sent me, “I’ll meet you at 5pm than we’ll go to the mall.” I immediately replied: “You mean then we’ll go to the mall!” Because they’re describing what happens after 5pm—the sequence of events—not comparing anything.
How to remember the difference
Here’s the memory trick I teach all my Hindi-speaking students, and it works every single time:
The “A” in “Than” = “Comparison”
Look at the spelling:
- Th<u>a</u>n has an “a” → Think “a” for “alternative” or “against” (comparing one thing against another)
- Th<u>e</u>n has an “e” → Think “e” for “event,” “elapsed time,” or “sequence”
Another foolproof method: Replace the word with “at that time” or “after that.” If the sentence still makes sense, use then. If it doesn’t, you need than.
Test it:
- “She is taller [at that time] me.” ❌ Makes no sense → Use than
- “Eat dinner [after that] watch TV.” ✅ Makes perfect sense → Use then
For Hindi speakers specifically, use this mental check:
- अगर आप “से” (comparison) का इस्तेमाल कर रहे हैं → than
- अगर आप “फिर” या “तब” (sequence/time) का इस्तेमाल कर रहे हैं → then
One editor-level insight that most beginners don’t know: When you see “rather,” it’s almost always followed by “than” (not then). The phrase “rather than” is a fixed comparison structure. Example: “I’ll walk rather than drive.” (मैं गाड़ी चलाने के बजाय चलूंगा।)
Common mistakes and exceptions
Even advanced English learners whose first language is Hindi make these specific errors with “then” and “than.” Let me expose the most common ones so you can avoid them.
Mistake #1: Double comparisons Wrong: “This phone is more better than that one.” Correct: “This phone is better than that one.”
In Hindi, you might say “यह फोन उससे ज्यादा बेहतर है,” but in English, you can’t use both “more” and the “-er” ending together. Pick one: either “more expensive than” OR “better than,” never “more better than.”
Mistake #2: Using “then” in comparative structures Wrong: “My salary is higher then yours.” Correct: “My salary is higher than yours.”
I see this constantly in salary negotiation emails. The writer is comparing two salaries, so it must be “than,” not “then.”
Mistake #3: Confusing “then” with “than” in conditional sentences Wrong: “If you study hard, than you will pass.” Correct: “If you study hard, then you will pass.”
The “if…then” structure shows consequence, not comparison. In Hindi: “अगर आप कड़ी मेहनत करेंगे, तो आप पास हो जाएंगे।” That “तो” maps to “then,” not “than.”
Exception: “Then” meaning “in that case” Sometimes “then” doesn’t refer to time at all—it means “therefore” or “in that situation.”
Example: “You don’t like chai? What then do you prefer?” (आपको चाय पसंद नहीं? तो आप क्या पसंद करते हैं?)
This usage still isn’t comparison, so it’s never “than.”
US vs UK spelling note: Good news for Hindi speakers: “Then” and “than” are spelled identically in American English, British English, and Indian English. Unlike “color/colour” or “realize/realise,” these words don’t change based on region. Get them right once, and you’re correct everywhere.
Mistake #4: LinkedIn profile errors I reviewed a LinkedIn headline that read: “Software Engineer with 5+ years experience then industry expertise.” This should be “than industry expertise” ONLY if they’re comparing. But actually, the whole structure is wrong. Better: “Software Engineer with 5+ years of experience and industry expertise.” Sometimes the problem isn’t then/than—it’s using the wrong word entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use “then” and “than” interchangeably in informal Hindi-English conversations?
No, never. Even in casual WhatsApp messages or Hinglish conversations, using the wrong word changes your meaning entirely. “I love you more then him” suggests a time sequence (which makes no sense), while “I love you more than him” is a comparison. Your reader will notice the error, and it undermines your credibility.
Q: How do I explain the difference to my younger siblings or students in Hindi?
Tell them: “Than तुलना के लिए है (जैसे: बड़ा than छोटा), और then समय या क्रम के लिए है (जैसे: पहले यह, then वह)।” Give them this test: अगर sentence में “से” आ रहा है, तो than use करो। अगर “फिर” या “तब” आ रहा है, तो then use करो।
Q: Is “then than” or “than then” ever correct in the same sentence?
Yes, but it’s rare and usually sounds awkward. Example: “Back then, people cared more about quality than speed.” Here, “then” refers to a past time, and “than” makes a comparison. While grammatically correct, try to restructure such sentences for clarity: “In the past, quality mattered more than speed.”
Q: Why do spell-checkers sometimes miss this error?
Because both “then” and “than” are real English words spelled correctly—just used in the wrong context. Spell-check won’t flag “I am taller then you” because “then” is a valid word. You need grammar-checkers like Grammarly or human proofreading to catch this. That’s why understanding the rule yourself is essential; don’t rely solely on software.
Steven Garcia has dedicated over a decade to exploring the intricacies of the English language, specializing in word comparisons and nuanced linguistic distinctions. Holding a master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of California, Steven has always been fascinated by the dynamic evolution of language. He began his career as an editor for several publishing houses, where he honed his skills in discerning subtle differences in word usage. Steven is particularly interested in the etymology and historical contexts that shape word meanings. His passion for language led him to join WhichWordHub, where he focuses on creating insightful content that helps readers understand the subtle differences between similar words. Through his work, Steven aims to enrich the vocabulary of language enthusiasts and empower them to make informed word choices. In addition to writing detailed articles, he enjoys engaging with the linguistic community to discuss the ever-evolving nature of English.