More-than बनाम More-then: क्या अंतर है?
than और समय या 'उसके बाद' (when/next) बताने के लिए then का इस्तेमाल करो।
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 और then। एक B1 level learner के रूप में, यह अंतर समझना आपके लिए बहुत ज़रूरी है क्योंकि अक्सर लिखने में हम इन्हें गलती से एक-दूसरे की जगह इस्तेमाल कर लेते हैं।than और then का अंतर समझना इसलिए भी ज़रूरी है क्योंकि ये दोनों शब्द अलग-अलग grammatical functions निभाते हैं। Than का इस्तेमाल हम तुलना करने के लिए करते हैं, जबकि then का इस्तेमाल हम समय, क्रम, या परिणाम बताने के लिए करते हैं। अगर आप अपनी English को professional और सटीक बनाना चाहते हैं, तो इन दोनों के बीच का अंतर समझना पहली सीढ़ी है। इसे ऐसे समझें: जब आप किसी बाज़ार में ऑटो वाले से किराया कम करवा रहे होते हैं, तो आप तुलना करते हैं—«यह ऑटो वाला उस ऑटो वाले से सस्ता है» (He is cheaper than that one)। और जब आप कहते हैं, «पहले मैं चाय पीऊँगा, फिर काम करूँगा,» तो यहाँ आप समय के क्रम की बात कर रहे हैं (I will drink tea, then I will work)। यह बारीकी ही आपकी भाषा को बेहतर बनाती है।Than हमेशा तुलना (comparison) का संकेत देता है। जब भी आप दो चीज़ों के बीच अंतर या बराबरी की बात करते हैं, तो than का इस्तेमाल होता है। हिंदी में हम इसके लिए 'से' शब्द का प्रयोग करते हैं।- तुलनात्मक विशेषण (Comparative Adjectives): जैसे
bigger than,smarter than,more beautiful than। - मात्रा (Quantity):
more than,less than,fewer than। - प्राथमिकता (Preference):
rather than(बजाय इसके)।
He is taller than me,तो आप उसकी लंबाई की तुलना खुद से कर रहे हैं। यहाँ
than एक पुल (bridge) की तरह काम करता है जो दो चीज़ों को जोड़कर उनके बीच का अंतर बताता है।Then का सीधा संबंध समय (time) और क्रम (sequence) से है। यह बताता है कि कोई चीज़ कब हुई या क्या हुआ।- क्रम (Sequence):
First, I reached the office, then I checked my emails.
(पहले... फिर...) - समय (Time): "Back then, we didn't have smartphones." (उस समय)
- परिणाम (Consequence):
If you study hard, then you will succeed.
(अगर... तो...)
then करता है। यह किसी कहानी या घटनाक्रम को आगे बढ़ाने का काम करता है।than + [Noun/Pronoun] | This movie is better than the last one. |more/less + [Noun] + than + [Amount] | I have more work than time. |, then + [Action 2] | Let's eat, then go for a walk. |If + [Condition] + , then + [Result] | If you are free, then call me. |than हमेशा एक 'तुलना' का बिंदु है, जबकि then एक 'समय' का बिंदु है।Than का उपयोग तब करें जब आप किसी चीज़ को किसी दूसरी चीज़ से माप रहे हों। जैसे: This tea is sweeter than the one I had yesterday.यहाँ आप चाय के स्वाद की तुलना कर रहे हैं। यह तुलनात्मक (comparative) वाक्यों में अनिवार्य है। यदि आप तुलना नहीं कर रहे हैं, तो
than का प्रयोग गलत होगा।Then का उपयोग तब करें जब आप समय की बात कर रहे हों या किसी प्रक्रिया (process) के चरण बता रहे हों। जैसे: Put the phone on charge, then go to sleep.यह एक निर्देश (instruction) है, इसलिए यहाँ
then का प्रयोग सही है। इसके अलावा, then का उपयोग 'उस समय' (at that time) के अर्थ में भी होता है। जैसे: I was living in Delhi then.(मैं उस समय दिल्ली में रह रहा था)।
- 1'Than' और 'Then' को आपस में बदलना: यह सबसे आम गलती है। इसका कारण यह है कि बोलने में 'than' और 'then' बहुत मिलते-जुलते सुनाई देते हैं। हम जल्दी में 'then' की जगह 'than' लिख देते हैं। याद रखें, 'than' में 'a' है (comparison के लिए), और 'then' में 'e' है (time के लिए)।
- 2तुलना में 'than' को भूल जाना: हिंदी में हम कहते हैं «वह मुझसे बड़ा है» (He is bigger than me)। कई बार छात्र 'than' बोलना भूल जाते हैं और कहते हैं
He is bigger me,
जो कि गलत है क्योंकि English में तुलना के लिए 'than' अनिवार्य है। - 3'Then' का अनावश्यक प्रयोग: हिंदी में हम अक्सर 'फिर' शब्द का बहुत ज़्यादा प्रयोग करते हैं। English में भी छात्र हर बात के बाद 'then' लगा देते हैं (जैसे:
I went to market, then I bought vegetables, then I came home
). यह सुनने में थोड़ा अजीब लगता है। इसे बेहतर बनाने के लिएafter thatयाsubsequentlyका उपयोग करें।
I will see you thenका मतलब है «मैं तुमसे उस समय मिलूँगा»। यह पूरी तरह से सही है।
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
| शब्द (Word) | काम (Function) | उदाहरण (Example Sentence) |
|---|---|---|
|
`than`
|
तुलना (Comparison)
|
This episode is better `than` the last one.
|
|
`then`
|
समय / क्रम (Time / Sequence)
|
First we'll eat, `then` we'll watch the movie.
|
|
`than`
|
तुलना (Comparison)
|
She has more experience `than` the other candidates.
|
|
`then`
|
नतीजा (If... then...)
|
If it rains, `then` the picnic is cancelled.
|
|
`than`
|
पसंद बताना (Rather than)
|
I'd rather have coffee `than` tea.
|
|
`then`
|
पुराना समय (Specific time)
|
I wasn't ready `then`, but I am now.
|
औपचारिकता का स्तर
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: असली मुकाबला
कौन सा इस्तेमाल करें?
क्या तुम दो चीज़ों की तुलना कर रहे हो?
क्या तुम समय, क्रम या 'उसके बाद' की बात कर रहे हो?
Than और Then की दुनिया
THAN (तुलना)
- Taller than comparison
- More than comparison
- Rather than preference
THEN (समय/क्रम)
- First..., then... sequence
- Back then past time
- If..., then... consequence
किसका क्या काम है?
`Than` के काम
- • कीमतों की तुलना
- • पसंद बताना
- • रैंकिंग देना
`Then` के काम
- • निर्देश देना
- • कहानी सुनाना
- • नतीजे बताना
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
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.
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
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.
सामान्य गलतियाँ
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.
वाक्य संरचनाएँ
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.
'A' और 'E' वाली ट्रिक
He is faster than you.
स्पेल-चेक पर भरोसा मत करो
It is better than nothing.
'Now and Then' का मतलब
I visit them every now and then.
प्रोफेशनल बनो
The results were better than expected.
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'.
उच्चारण
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.
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
ThAn is for compArison (both have 'A'). ThEn is for timE (both have 'E').
दृश्य संबंध
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
चैलेंज
Write three sentences about your morning routine using 'then', and three sentences comparing your hometown to your current city using 'than'.
सांस्कृतिक नोट्स
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'.
बातचीत की शुरुआत
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?
डायरी विषय
सामान्य गलतियाँ
Test Yourself
This coffee tastes much better ___ the one I had yesterday.
सही वाक्य चुनें:
Find and fix the mistake:
My brother is older then me.
Score: /3
अभ्यास प्रश्न
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.
सही वाक्य चुनें:
सही वाक्य चुनें:
He has more followers on Instagram then his friend.
If you are tired, than you should rest.
अंग्रेजी में अनुवाद करें: 'Plan A, Plan B से ज़्यादा सुरक्षित है।'
अंग्रेजी में अनुवाद करें: 'अपना खाना खत्म करो, और फिर तुम मीठा खा सकते हो।'
इन शब्दों को सही क्रम में रखें:
इन शब्दों को सही क्रम में रखें:
सही जोड़ियाँ मिलाएँ:
The instructions were more complicated ___ I expected.
Score: /12
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (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
संबंधित वीडियो
24:00 Wednesday vs Grandma Cooking Challenge | Funny Kitchen Hacks by BaRaDa Challenge
11:56 Jean Ritchie sings "Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender" and "The Cuckoo" (1986) | Appalachian ballads
23:14 Why do I hike | Award Winning Documentary 2020 (ENGLISH with Chinese, Greek and Czech subs) #hiking
Than vs Then in English Grammar by Dear Sir
Dear Sir
Difference between Than and Then | Spoken English Guru
Spoken English Guru
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