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The English words than and then look and sound a lot alike, but they are completely different. If this distinction is harder than it should be, read this lesson and then try again.

 

 

Than

 

Than is a conjunction used in comparisons:

 

Tom is smarter than Bill.

 

This is more important than you might think.

 

Is she taller than you?

 

Yes, she is taller than I.

 

Technically, you should use the subject pronoun after than (e.g., I), as opposed to the object pronoun (me). However, English speakers commonly use the object pronoun.

 

 

Then

 

Then has numerous meanings.

 

1. At that point in time

 

I wasn't ready then.

 

Will you be home at noon? I'll call you then.

 

2. Next, afterward

 

I went to the store, and then to the bank

 

Do your homework and then go to bed

 

3. In addition, also, on top of that

 

He told me he was leaving, and then that I owed him money

 

It cost $5,000, and then there's tax too

 

4. In that case, therefore (often with "if")

 

If you want to go, then you'll have to finish your homework.

 

I'm hungry!

Then you should eat.

 

 

The Bottom Line

 

Than is used only in comparisons, so if you're comparing something use than. If not, then you have to use then. What could be easier than that?

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To vs. too

 

To is a versatile preposition. A few of its many definitions are (1) toward, (2) reaching as far as, and (3) until.1 Too is an adverb meaning (1) additionally, (2) excessively, (3) very, or (4) extremely.2 Whenever you’re in doubt about whether to use to or too, see if any of those synonyms of too (i.e., additionally, extremely, etc.) would work in its place. If none fits, then to is probably the word you’re looking for.

Examples

 

Here are a few examples of to used correctly:

 

I’m going to bed.

 

She turned to him and said hello.

 

The dictator was restored to power.

 

He pressed his face to the glass.

 

We stood face to face.

 

There were two men to every woman.

 

It’s now ten minutes to six.

 

I came to return this book.

 

When I came to, everyone was looking down at me.

 

I pushed the door to and shut off the lights.

 

And in these sentences, too is used correctly:

 

You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.

 

The sun was too bright, so I put on my shades.

 

The error was too glaring to ignore.

 

She wasn’t too pleased to see us again.

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