Then vs Than

[Professor Aquos]

I do not know if this topic already exists for this guild is way too big. But I must post this. I must say I am fed up of seeing people incorrectly use then and than.

* Use then to show sequence, what happens next. Other meanings include "at that time" and "as a necessary consequence"
Examples:
- The whole family had a leisurely breakfast. We then went outside to enjoy the beautiful weather.
- He was just a little child then.
- If she is going to write another novel, then she should find another editor.
* Use than to compare things.
Example: The dinosaur bones were older than anything I had ever seen before.

Many people use than when they mean then, and vice versa.
Than, a conjunction, is used to compare things.
Then, an adverb, is used with descriptions of time.
• Then, suddenly, Mr. Perez shouted, “I’m a better diver than you’ll ever be!”
• I think she looks dangerously skinny, but then, what do I know?

Now for those of you who know better, educate those who continue the idiocy. ^_^  

[Error Access Denied]

I, too, have noticed the way people incorrectly use then and than. It does get old after a while seeing that its a lot of the time that people do it. It bugs me when I see it repeatedly. rolleyes  

[Vocal Cannibalism]

I must admit, I never really knew there was a difference,
but I'm quite sure I've always used the correct word when writing.

My grammar has always be pretty good though. :/

If the correct answer was the second poll option, I win. :3

 

[Professor Aquos]

Hehe. I am pleased. I got two replies and everyone who voted, voted correctly! Kudos to myself ! Haha. ♥  

[ChibiStarlet]

Thanks for posting this. I feel like it's a pretty simple distinction, but one that a lot of people mess up. Thanks for helping to educate the masses! wink  

[joannemily]

I completely agree. It's one of those incredibly simple grammar rules (for once) and yet so many people don't understand the distinction.  

[applecyder]

I see this all the time so correcting this type of grammatical error is an incessant job... confused  

[Professor Aquos]

Haha. One person can make a difference as they say . I am glad to be one of those persons xd even if it's just something as simple as this topic hehe.  

[Lily-Anne-Marie]

I must say that this particular grammar error really does not bother me too much because my boyfriend, though I love him dearly, has very poor grammar and spelling. He tends to get these two mixed up quite often, but I do not call him on it because he does not call me on some of the things I do wrong. But yes, I am one of those who can tell the difference.  

[XDBunny]

To be honest with all of you, I've made this mistake on certain occasions. I chose the second answer for the poll, by the way. =P  

[Sylvaniae]

Ugh, I can't stand when people do that. I regularly would RP with someone through IMs, rather than Gaia, and the person I did this with continually confused the two. It drives me nuts, even if I don't say anything. Plus, it's not like this person would care either way. She'd probably fight me on it, even though I know I'm right beyond a shadow of a doubt.  

[Fuku Taichou]

Yeah I still see that error a lot. There are also still a lot of errors with "it's" and "its," "your," and "you're," "whose" and "who's," and "there," "their," and "they're." It's something where I generally don't correct people, cause really, it gets annoying when people correct your every error.

When my friends ask me to correct their papers, though, I will correct those errors.  

[Starry Phoenix]

wow! I had no idea at all that I was doing that wrong. Thank you very much for putting this topic up!