More-than vs. More-then : Quelle est la différence ?
than (avec un 'a') c'est pour comparer, et then (avec un 'e') c'est pour dire quand ou ce qui suit.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'than' for comparisons and 'then' for time or sequences.
- Use 'than' when comparing two things: 'A is better than B'.
- Use 'then' when talking about time: 'We ate, then we left'.
- Use 'then' for 'if/then' logic: 'If it rains, then stay inside'.
Overview
than et then en écrivant un e-mail ou en discutant avec des collègues anglophones, rassure-toi : tu n'es pas seul. C'est l'une des confusions les plus fréquentes, même pour ceux qui ont un bon niveau d'anglais.than et then, c'est comme savoir quand utiliser « que » pour comparer et quand utiliser « alors » ou « ensuite » pour parler du temps. Pour nous, francophones, le défi vient souvent du fait que notre cerveau essaie de traduire trop littéralement. On entend un son proche, on voit des lettres similaires, et paf !Than est ton outil pour la comparaison. Il sert à mettre deux choses sur une balance et à voir laquelle pèse le plus lourd, laquelle est la plus rapide ou la plus intéressante.Then, quant à lui, est ton outil pour la chronologie. C'est la flèche du temps qui indique ce qui se passe après, ou une conséquence logique.Than est une conjonction ou une préposition de comparaison. Son rôle unique est d'introduire le deuxième élément d'une comparaison.- « Plus grand que... » →
Taller than... - « Moins cher que... » →
Cheaper than... - « Plutôt que... » →
Rather than...
[Élément A] + [Comparatif] + than + [Élément B]. Sans than, la balance de ta comparaison s'écroule. C'est le pivot central. Il ne sert jamais à indiquer le temps, seulement le rapport de supériorité, d'infériorité ou de différence.Then est principalement un adverbe. Il ne compare rien. Il situe une action dans le temps ou dans une suite logique.- Ensuite / Puis : Pour une séquence d'événements. (
I went to the market, then I cooked dinner.) - Alors / À ce moment-là : Pour désigner un moment précis dans le passé ou le futur. (
Back then, we didn't have TikTok.) - Dans ce cas / Alors : Pour exprimer une conséquence logique, souvent après un « si ». (
If you're tired, then you should sleep.)
then reste strictement lié à la chronologie ou à la conséquence.Than (Comparaison)than | Paris is older than New York. | Paris est plus vieille que New York. |than | This book is more interesting than the movie. | Ce livre est plus intéressant que le film. |than | I prefer tea rather than coffee. | Je préfère le thé plutôt que le café. |than | I have no friends other than you. | Je n'ai pas d'amis à part (que) toi. |than, on utilise souvent un pronom complément (than me, than him) dans le langage courant, ou un pronom sujet + auxiliaire (than I am, than he does) dans un style plus formel.Then (Temps et Logique)then Action 2) | First, wash the car, then dry it. | Indique l'étape suivante (Ensuite). |then) | Life was simpler back then. | Désigne une époque (À l'époque). |then) | If you're late, then we'll start without you. | Indique le résultat (Alors). |then) | I visit my parents now and then. | Expression idiomatique (De temps en temps). |Than quand tu es en mode « Évaluation »- Comparaison de prix :
This laptop is more expensive than I thought.(Ce portable est plus cher que ce que je pensais). - Comparaison de performance :
She runs faster than her brother.(Elle court plus vite que son frère). - Choix et préférences :
I’d rather stay at home than go to the party.(Je préférerais rester à la maison plutôt que d'aller à la fête). Ici,thanmarque l'alternative que tu rejettes.
Then quand tu es en mode « Narration » ou « Logique »- Raconter une suite d'actions :
I woke up, had a coffee, and then I started working.(Je me suis réveillé, j'ai pris un café, et ensuite j'ai commencé à travailler). - Donner un rendez-vous :
I’ll be free at 5 PM. See you then!(Je serai libre à 17h. On se voit à ce moment-là !). - Résoudre un problème (Logique) :
If the software doesn't work, then we need to restart the server.(Si le logiciel ne fonctionne pas, alors nous devons redémarrer le serveur).
Than(avec un A) → Comme Acomparaison (bon, d'accord, comparaison ne prend pas de A au début, mais pense à « Autre » ou « Analyse »).Then(avec un E) → Comme Ensuite ou Et après.
than et then se prononcent souvent de manière très proche, avec un son « schwa » (un son neutre comme le « e » de « petit »).- L'erreur : Écrire
I am taller then you. - Pourquoi ça arrive : Parce qu'à l'oral, on n'entend pas bien la différence entre le /æ/ de
thanet le /ɛ/ dethen. - Le conseil : Ne te fie pas à ton oreille ! Demande-toi : « Est-ce que je compare ? ». Si oui, c'est
thanavec un A.
- L'erreur : Confondre
thanetthatouthen. - Pourquoi ça arrive : Le cerveau cherche un équivalent unique à « que ».
- Le conseil : Rappelle-toi que l'anglais est plus segmenté.
Thanest réservé *uniquement* à la comparaison d'inégalité.
then pour dire « que » dans une comparaisonMy car is better then yours.- Pourquoi ça arrive : On a tendance à utiliser
thencomme un connecteur universel parce qu'il ressemble à « donc » ou « alors », et on se dit que ça lie les deux parties de la phrase. - La correction :
My car is better than yours.(Comparaison =than).
As... as | He is as tall as me. (Il est aussi grand que moi). On n'utilise ni than ni then ici. |Different from | This is different from that. (C'est différent de cela). En anglais américain, on entend souvent different than, mais from est plus standard. |So | I was tired, so I went to bed. (J'étais fatigué, donc je suis allé me coucher). So est souvent interchangeable avec then dans un contexte de résultat, mais so est plus courant pour la causalité directe. |Later | I will call you later. (Je t'appellerai plus tard). Then indique un moment précis, later indique un moment indéfini dans le futur. |then au début d'une phrase ?Then, add two eggs to the flour. ou Then, what happened? (Alors, qu'est-ce qui s'est passé ?).more then existe ?more than. Si tu vois more then dans une phrase, c'est probablement une erreur de l'auteur (même les natifs se trompent parfois !) ou alors les deux mots se suivent par pur hasard dans une structure complexe, mais c'est très rare.than me ou than I ?He is taller than me. C'est la forme naturelle.He is taller than I am. Mais pour ton niveau B1, than me passera partout sans problème.then peut être un adjectif ?The then-president (Le président de l'époque). C'est très élégant dans un contexte professionnel.Comparison vs. Sequence
| Function | Word | Typical Preceding Word | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Comparison
|
than
|
Comparative (Better/More)
|
Faster than a car
|
|
Time Sequence
|
then
|
First action
|
I ate, then I slept
|
|
Logical Result
|
then
|
If-clause
|
If you win, then you get a prize
|
|
Past Time
|
then
|
Preposition (Since/Back)
|
Back then, we were kids
|
Meanings
The distinction between 'than' (a conjunction used for comparisons) and 'then' (an adverb used to indicate time or consequence).
Comparison (Than)
Used to introduce the second element in a comparison.
“She is taller than her brother.”
“I have more than five dollars.”
Time Sequence (Then)
Used to indicate what happens next in a series of events.
“We went to the park, then we had lunch.”
“Finish your work, then you can play.”
Logical Consequence (Then)
Used in conditional 'if... then' structures.
“If you are tired, then go to sleep.”
“If 2+2 is 4, then 4-2 is 2.”
Reference Table
| Mot | Fonction | Exemple |
|---|---|---|
|
`than`
|
Comparaison
|
This episode is better `than` the last one.
|
|
`then`
|
Temps / Séquence
|
First we'll eat, `then` we'll watch the movie.
|
|
`than`
|
Comparaison
|
She has more experience `than` the other candidates.
|
|
`then`
|
Conséquence (Si... alors...)
|
If it rains, `then` the picnic is cancelled.
|
|
`than`
|
Comparaison avec 'rather'
|
I'd rather have coffee `than` tea.
|
|
`then`
|
Se référer à un moment précis
|
I wasn't ready `then`, but I am now.
|
Spectre de formalité
I should prefer tea rather than coffee. (ordering drinks)
I like tea more than coffee. (ordering drinks)
Tea's better than coffee. (ordering drinks)
Tea over coffee any day. (ordering drinks)
Than vs. Then : Le Duel
Lequel Utiliser ?
Est-ce que tu compares deux choses ?
Est-ce que tu parles de temps, d'ordre ou de séquence ?
Le Monde de Than & Then
THAN (Comparaison)
- Taller than comparaison
- More than comparaison
- Rather than préférence
THEN (Temps/Ordre)
- First..., then... séquence
- Back then temps passé
- If..., then... conséquence
Rôles : Than & Then
Rôles de `Than`
- • Comparer des prix
- • Exprimer des préférences
- • Classer des options
Rôles de `Then`
- • Donner des instructions
- • Raconter une histoire
- • Lister des conséquences
Exemples par niveau
He is taller than me.
He is taller than me.
I like apples more than oranges.
I like apples more than oranges.
I wash my hands, then I eat.
I wash my hands, then I eat.
See you then!
See you then!
This book is better than the movie.
This book is better than the movie.
It costs more than ten dollars.
It costs more than ten dollars.
We went to Paris, then to Rome.
We went to Paris, then to Rome.
If you are ready, then let's go.
If you are ready, then let's go.
I would rather stay home than go out tonight.
I would rather stay home than go out tonight.
There were more people than we expected.
There were more people than we expected.
Check the oil, then start the engine.
Check the oil, then start the engine.
He was much younger then.
He was much younger then.
The solution was more complex than it first appeared.
The solution was more complex than it first appeared.
No sooner had I arrived than the phone rang.
No sooner had I arrived than the phone rang.
If the results are inconclusive, then we must repeat the test.
If the results are inconclusive, then we must repeat the test.
But then again, we could just wait.
But then again, we could just wait.
The policy did more harm than good in the long run.
The policy did more harm than good in the long run.
Other than a few scratches, the car was fine.
Other than a few scratches, the car was fine.
The then-president signed the decree in 1994.
The then-president signed the decree in 1994.
Well, what are you waiting for then?
Well, what are you waiting for then?
Rarely has a man been more misunderstood than he.
Rarely has a man been more misunderstood than he.
The implications are more far-reaching than one might suppose.
The implications are more far-reaching than one might suppose.
Since then, the landscape has changed irrevocably.
Since then, the landscape has changed irrevocably.
If such be the case, then we are truly lost.
If such be the case, then we are truly lost.
Facile à confondre
Learners sometimes say 'different than' instead of 'different from'.
The phrase 'No sooner had I...' must be followed by 'than', but people often use 'when' or 'then'.
Both can show consequence, but 'so' is a conjunction and 'then' is an adverb.
Erreurs courantes
He is bigger then me.
He is bigger than me.
I eat than I sleep.
I eat then I sleep.
More then five.
More than five.
Better then ever.
Better than ever.
First I go, than you go.
First I go, then you go.
I'd rather walk then run.
I'd rather walk than run.
If you win, than I pay.
If you win, then I pay.
No other then him.
No other than him.
Since than, I am sad.
Since then, I am sad.
More then likely.
More than likely.
The then-than president.
The then-president.
Structures de phrases
I like ___ more than ___.
First, ___, and then ___.
It was more ___ than I thought.
If ___, then ___.
Real World Usage
This laptop is faster than the one I have.
Whisk the eggs, then add the flour.
I have more than five years of experience in this field.
See u then!
The train is cheaper than the bus, but then we have to walk.
If the temperature rises, then the ice melts.
Le Truc du 'A' et du 'E'
thAn c'est pour la compAraison et l'Analyse. thEn c'est pour dirE quand, ou la séquEncE. C'est un bon moyen mnémotechnique ! I am taller than you.vs
I will see you then.
Le Correcteur Ne Te Sauvera Pas
My work is better than yours.ou "I'll finish my work, then I'll go."
'Now and Then'
I visit my old friends every now and then.
La Clarté est Professionnelle
The project was completed faster than expected.ou
First, review the report, then send it.
Smart Tips
Check if you can replace the word with 'compared to'. If you can, use 'than'.
The second part of the sentence will almost always use 'then' (or an implied 'then').
Use 'then' to move the reader to the next step.
It is almost always followed by 'than'.
Prononciation
The Schwa Effect
In normal conversation, both 'than' and 'then' are unstressed and sound like /ðən/. You must rely on context to understand which is being used.
Stressed 'Then'
When 'then' is at the end of a sentence or used for emphasis, the 'E' sound is clear.
Stressed 'Than'
When 'than' is stressed (rarely), it has a clear 'A' sound like 'apple'.
Sequence Intonation
First this (rise), then that (fall).
Shows a list of actions.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
ThAn is for compArison (both have 'A'). ThEn is for timE (both have 'E').
Association visuelle
Imagine a giant letter 'A' acting as a balance scale between two objects (Comparison). Imagine a letter 'E' as a set of stairs leading from one event to the next (Time).
Rhyme
When you compare, 'than' is there. When time is the key, use the one with an 'e'.
Story
I wanted more THAN a sandwich. I went to the kitchen, THEN I made a feast. I ate it all, and THEN I felt better THAN before.
Word Web
Défi
Write three sentences about your morning routine using 'then', and three sentences comparing your hometown to your current city using 'than'.
Notes culturelles
Mixing these up in writing is often seen as a sign of poor education or 'internet speak'. It is a very common 'pet peeve' for teachers and employers.
The word 'then' is frequently added to the end of questions to add a friendly or inquisitive tone, often without a specific 'time' meaning.
In some dialects, 'than' and 'then' are pronounced identically, making the written distinction even harder for native speakers in these regions.
Both words derive from the same Old English word 'þanne' or 'þænne'.
Amorces de conversation
Would you rather live in a very cold place or a very hot place? Why?
Tell me about your perfect morning. What do you do first, and what then?
Is learning English harder than you expected?
If you could change one thing about your city, what would it be and what would happen then?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
This coffee tastes much better ___ the one I had yesterday.
Choose the correct sentence:
Find and fix the mistake:
My brother is older then me.
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesShe is much better at math ___ I am.
We went to the cinema, and ___ we went for pizza.
Find and fix the mistake:
I would rather travel by train then fly.
I will finish my homework, ___ I will call you.
You should use 'than' after the word 'more'.
A: Is your new car faster? B: Yes, it's much faster ___ my old one.
Which word is used for time?
If you are tired...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI would rather read a book ___ watch that TV show.
Finish your homework, and ___ you can play video games.
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose the correct sentence:
He has more followers on Instagram then his friend.
If you are tired, than you should rest.
Translate into English: 'El plan A es más seguro que el plan B.'
Translate into English: 'Termina tu cena, y luego puedes comer postre.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentence parts:
The instructions were more complicated ___ I expected.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
While people will understand you, it is still considered a mistake. It is better to use `than` to build good habits.
In English, unstressed vowels often turn into a 'schwa' sound (/ə/). This makes `than` and `then` sound nearly identical in fast speech.
It is always `more than` when comparing quantities or qualities.
You use it to mean 'in that case' or 'at that time'. For example: 'I'll see you `then`!'
No, the correct phrase is always `rather than`.
This is an advanced use where `then` acts like an adjective meaning 'at that time'. It refers to someone who was president in the past.
Rarely. It usually only happens in poetic or very formal inversions, like 'Than him, no one was more brave.'
Remember: Th**a**n = Comp**a**rison. Th**e**n = Tim**e**.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
que / entonces
Spanish doesn't have two words that sound almost identical for these two functions.
que / alors
The temporal 'then' has multiple distinct translations in French depending on the type of sequence.
als / dann
The word 'dann' sounds like 'than' but means 'then'.
yori / sorekara
Japanese grammar doesn't use conjunctions in the same position as English.
min / thumma
Arabic uses a preposition for comparison where English uses a conjunction.
bǐ / ránhòu
Chinese comparison structure (A bǐ B adjective) is completely different from English.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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