VOA慢速英语2021--Then and Than

This week, we answer a question from our reader Nyinye, who says:

Question:

Hi, I keep getting confused with the words "then" and "than." I know that "than" is used in comparisons² but in some cases used as a conjunction³. I'm confused. -Nyinye

Answer:

Hello Nyinye,

It is easy confuse the words "then" and "than." They look and sound very similar. And even some native English speakers find them troublesome.

So here is the quickest way to remember:

"Then" (spelled t-h-e-n) is used for time.

"Than" (spelled t-h-a-n) is used in comparisons.

Let's discuss each word in detail.

Than

We use "than" to make comparisons between two or more people or things. Listen to some examples:

She can run faster than the other girls.

I would rather order food than cook again.

The first example is a simple and clear comparison¹. The second may be a little less clear. But it does compare two choices: ordering food and cooking.

‘No later than'

What may cause some people trouble are expressions like "no later than" and "no earlier than." These expressions involve time but still use the word "than." Here is an example:

I will be home no later than 5 o'clock.

It means the person will be back at 5 o'clock or sometime before 5 o'clock.

Notice use of the comparative⁴ adjective⁵ "later" before the word "than."

Then

Now, let's discuss "then."

"Then" is used to talk about something as it relates to time. We use it to say what happened next or happens next. Listen to some examples:

Turn left after the bridge and then follow the signs.

We finished cleaning. Then we played a game.

We also use "then" in conditional⁶ sentences that have the form if...then, like this:

If it rains, (then) we will go somewhere else.

Note that in if...then sentences, the word "then" is not required.

Words in This Story

confuse - v. to make (someone) uncertain or unable to understand something

conjunction - n. a word that joins together sentences, clauses⁷, phrases, or words

spell - v. to say, write, or print the letters of (a word or name)

1 comparison   

n.比较，对照；比拟，比喻

参考例句：

• They make a comparison of New York to a beehive.他们把纽约比作一个蜂巢。
• This dress is really cheaper by comparison.比较起来，这件衣服确实便宜。

2 comparisons   

比较( comparison的名词复数 )； [修辞学]比喻； [语法学]（形容词或副词的）比较等级； 类似

参考例句：

• I. Comparisons to a Living Creature (i. e., the Sphinx riddle) 1．比作某种生物（如斯芬克司谜） 来自英汉非文学 - 民俗
• Make comparisons about the products. 对产品做对比。 来自超越目标英语 第4册

3 conjunction   

n.联合，连接，接合；连接词

参考例句：

• Two or more sentences may be joined together by a conjunction.两个或两个以上的句子可以用连词连接。
• The conjunction of heavy rains and high winds caused flooding.暴风雨的同时发生引起了洪水泛滥。

4 comparative   

adj.比较的；相比较而言的；相对的

参考例句：

• After many hardships,he now lives in comparative ease.经过许多困难之后，他现在的生活相对舒适。
• Let's make a comparative study of the two languages.让我们将这两种语言作一下比较研究。

5 adjective   

n.形容词；adj.形容词的，用作形容词的

参考例句：

• Don't apply that adjective to me.不要用那个字眼来形容我。
• The adjective loose has several senses. 形容词loose有几个义项。

6 conditional   

adj.条件的，带有条件的

参考例句：

• My agreement is conditional on your help.你肯帮助我才同意。
• There are two forms of most-favored-nation treatment:conditional and unconditional.最惠国待遇有两种形式:有条件的和无条件的。

7 clauses   

从句( clause的名词复数 )； （法律文件等的）条款

参考例句：

• Relative pronouns and adverbs introduce attributive clauses. 关系代词和关系副词引导定语从句。
• Please underline the noun clauses in the passage. 请用线画出短文中的名词性从句。