English grammar. Than vs. Then - how to understand which word to use

One of the most subtle points in the grammar of the English language - to learn in what situations to use a particular word. It doesn't sound very difficult, but there are a lot of situations like “who vs whom” that I wrote about earlier . One of the most common such questions is the difference in the application of “than and then”.

I found an interesting post with the rules that will help deal with this issue. I present to you the adapted translation of this useful material.
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When to use "than"

The word “than” usually plays the role of a union that combines two separate sentences into one or links words in a phrase. Most often, “than” is used for comparisons, and sometimes the word can have the meaning “except” or “when.”

Examples:

He is older than I am.

I'd rather die than accept this job offer.

In some cases, “than” acts as a preposition, connecting a noun or pronoun with a verb / adjective. This technique is used to express temporal relationships and, again, for comparisons.

In addition, you can use “than” with verbs in the past tense (especially past perfect), as well as in phrases where events immediately follow one after the other.

Example:

Hardly had I prepared for a meeting of the fire alarm rang.

Also, the word “than” is part of a large number of English idioms:

• "More dead than alive"
• "Better late than never" ("better late than never")
• “Actions speak louder than words” (“actions speak louder than words”)
• "Bite off more than you can chew" ("bite off more than you can swallow")
• Etc.

When to use "then"

In turn, the word “then” often acts as an adverb, which refers to an adjective, a verb, and other adverbs. “Then” may have a variety of meanings, but there are two of the most common. The first is a description of a specific time in the past or future, and the second is a description of the sequence of events.

Examples:

First, do your homework, then play soccer.
This afternoon I’ll hang up for a business meeting.

In addition, the word "then" is found in a variety of idioms and stable expressions:

• then and there ("then and there")
• every now and then (“from time to time”)
• If you are born to be hanged, then you never be drowned ("He who is destined to be hanged will not drown")
• see you then ("then see you")
• etc.

Conclusion

“Then and“ Than ”are very similar in pronunciation, in writing and even in use. Therefore, it is so difficult to decide in which case which of them should be applied. But there is still a difference, and in order to avoid mistakes, you will have to deal with these subtle points. Or you can install a tool to check grammar and spelling - as a rule, such software can correctly use then / than.