Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'other than' to mean 'except for'; 'other then' is almost always a spelling mistake.
- Use 'other than' for exclusion: 'I like no fruit other than apples.'
- Use 'then' only for time or sequence: 'I ate, and then I slept.'
- Remember: 'Than' is for comparison/choice, 'Then' is for time.
Overview
other than と other then の違いです。結論から申し上げますと、文法的に正しいのは other than のみであり、other then という表現は存在しません。しかし、なぜこれほどまでに混同されやすいのでしょうか？other than は、日本語で言うところの「〜以外に」「〜を除いて」あるいは「〜とは別の」という意味を持つ複合前置詞として機能します。特定の要素を全体から切り離したり、例外を設けたりする際に不可欠な表現です。例えば、「佐藤さん以外は全員出席した」と言いたい場合、other than を使ってその境界線を明確にします。then は「その時」や「それから」といった時間や順序を表す副詞です。than（〜よりも）と then（それから）は、カタカナで書くとどちらも「ザン」や「ゼン」に近く、特にネイティブスピーカーの速い会話では音が非常に似て聞こえます。この音の類似性が、書き言葉における other then という誤記を生む最大の原因です。しかし、文法的な役割は全く異なります。本稿では、中級レベル（B1）の学習者の皆さんが、ビジネスや日常会話で自信を持って other than を使いこなし、不自然なミスを回避できるよう、その仕組みを徹底的に解説します。other than が正しく、other then が間違いなのかを理解するためには、than と then の根本的な役割の違いを整理する必要があります。日本語の助詞や副詞と比較しながら考えてみましょう。than の役割：比較と除外than は主に比較級（more than, taller than）で使われる接続詞または前置詞です。日本語の「〜より（も）」に近い役割を果たします。比較とは、二つのものを並べてその「差」を際立たせる行為です。この「差」という概念が発展し、other than においては「それとは別物であること」、つまり除外や例外を示すようになりました。other（他の）+than（〜よりも）= 「〜より外の」→「〜以外に」
then の役割：時間と順序then は時間を表す副詞です。日本語の「その時」「それから」「それなら」に相当します。First, we go to Shinjuku. Then, we take the train.（まず新宿に行きます。それから電車に乗ります。）
then の仕事です。other（他の）という単語と then（その時）を組み合わせても、例外を示す意味にはなり得ません。other then と書いてしまうと、読み手には「他の、その時」という支離滅裂な意味に伝わってしまうのです。than という「比較の視点」を介在させることで、対象を他から切り離します。other than | 例外・除外を示す |than | 比較の対象を示す |then | 時間の経過・順序を示す |than は「AとBを比べる・分ける」性質を持ち、then は「Aの次にBが来る」という時間軸の性質を持っています。この違いを意識するだけで、スペリングミスは劇的に減るはずです。other than は、文の中で大きく分けて二つのパターンで使われます。基本的には「全体的な記述」と「具体的な例外」を繋ぐ接着剤のような役割を果たします。other than + [例外・対象]other than を置いて例外を付け加えます。I have no plans | other than | staying home. |The shop is open every day | other than | Mondays. |She didn't tell anyone | other than | her best friend. |- 例文:
I don't drink anything other than water.（私は水以外は何も飲みません。）
anything（何でも）という全体的な対象から、water（水）だけを other than で除外しています。Other than + [例外・対象], + [一般的な記述]Other than the price | , | the car is perfect. |Other than a few typos | , | your email was very professional. |- 例文:
Other than Tokyo, which city do you like?（東京以外では、どの都市が好きですか？）
other than を使うべきシチュエーションは、大きく分けて4つのカテゴリーがあります。中級レベルとして、単なる「除外」だけでなく、文脈に応じたニュアンスを掴みましょう。The museum is quiet other than the sound of footsteps.（美術館は足音以外は静かだ。）Is there anyone in the office other than you?（オフィスにはあなた以外に誰かいますか？）
nothing, no one, nowhere などの否定語の後に other than を置くと、「〜以外には何もない」＝「〜だけだ」という強い限定の意味になります。これはビジネスの交渉や、強い意志を伝える際に効果的です。We had no choice other than to cancel the event.（イベントを中止する以外に選択肢はなかった。）He eats nothing other than organic food.（彼はオーガニック食品以外は一切口にしない。）
Do you have any hobbies other than playing video games?（ゲーム以外に何か趣味はありますか？）Other than your current role, what experience do you have?（現在の職務以外に、どのような経験をお持ちですか？）
The product was different from what I expected in ways other than just the color.（その製品は、単に色以外にも、私の期待とは異なる点があった。）
other then と書いてしまう (綴りのミス)then と打ってしまうことがあります。- Why it happens: 日本語のカタカナ教育では
thanもthenも曖昧に処理されがちだからです。 - Check: 「比較や除外」なら
a(than)、「時間や順序」ならe(then) と覚えましょう。AはAlternative（代替）のAと覚えるのも手です。
besides との混同 (意味の取り違え)other than は主に「除いて」のニュアンスが強いですが、besides は「に加えて」のニュアンスが強いです。- Incorrect:
Other than English, I also speak French.(英語を除いて、私はフランス語も話す？) - Correct:
Besides English, I also speak French.(英語に加えて、フランス語も話す。)
other than を使うと「英語は話さないけれど」という誤解を与える可能性があるため、追加（Also）の意味を含めたい場合は besides や in addition to を使うのが無難です。other than を置いてしまう (語順のミス)other than は前置詞的な役割なので、必ず後ろに名詞や句を伴います。- Incorrect:
I like sports soccer other than. - Correct:
I like sports other than soccer.
other than と似た意味を持つ表現はいくつかあります。それぞれのニュアンスの違いを理解して、状況に合わせて使い分けましょう。other than | 「〜以外に」「〜を除いて」。ややフォーマルから標準的。 | I have no friends other than you. |except for | 「〜を除いては」。すでにある全体像から特定の一部を引くイメージ。 | The room was empty except for a chair. |apart from | other than とほぼ同じだが、イギリス英語でよく好まれる。 | Apart from the weather, it was a great trip. |besides | 「〜の他に（も）」。追加のニュアンスが強い。 | Besides the salary, the benefits are good. |rather than | 「〜というよりはむしろ」。選択や好みの比較。 | I'd prefer tea rather than coffee. |other than vs except for の使い分けexcept for は「全体的にはこうだが、ここだけは例外」というニュアンスが強く、文頭でも文中でも使えます。一方、other than は「それとは別の選択肢」というニュアンスが含まれることが多く、特に否定語（no, nothing）との相性が抜群です。other than はビジネスメールで使っても失礼ではありませんか？Other than the issues mentioned above, everything is on track.（上記の問題以外は、すべて順調です）といった使い方は、進捗報告などで非常に好まれます。other than の後ろに動詞を置きたい場合はどうすればいいですか？~ing）または不定詞（to ~）を置くことができます。特に have no choice other than to...（〜するより他に選択肢がない）という形は決まり文句としてよく使われます。otherwise とはどう違いますか？otherwise は副詞で「さもなければ」や「別の点では」という意味です。other than は後ろに名詞を必要としますが、otherwise は単独で、あるいは文を修飾するように使われます。The food was cold, but otherwise it was a nice meal.（料理は冷めていたが、その他の点では良い食事だった。）
other than を but で言い換えることはできますか？nothing but や no one but という形で言い換えが可能です。He eats nothing but ramen.（彼はラーメン以外（しか）食べない）は He eats nothing other than ramen. とほぼ同じ意味ですが、but を使う方がより口語的でカジュアルな響きになります。other than をマスターすることは、あなたの英語に「精密さ」をもたらします。日本語の「〜以外」という便利な言葉を英語に変換する際、それが「除外」なのか「追加」なのかを一度立ち止まって考えてみてください。そして、書き出す前には必ず「これは比較の than かな？」と自問自答する癖をつけましょう。こうした小さな努力（努力は裏切りません！）の積み重ねが、自然で洗練された英語への近道です。頑張りましょう！Usage of 'Other than' vs 'Other then'
| Phrase | Grammatical Role | Meaning | Correctness |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other than
|
Prepositional Phrase
|
Except for / Besides
|
✅ Correct
|
|
Other then
|
Spelling Error
|
None (Mistaken time usage)
|
❌ Incorrect
|
|
Rather than
|
Conjunction
|
Instead of / Preference
|
✅ Correct
|
|
Other then-...
|
Compound Adjective
|
Other [at that time] ...
|
✅ Correct (Rare)
|
Meanings
The phrase 'other than' is used as a preposition to indicate an exception or to mean 'besides' or 'apart from'.
Exclusion
Used to mean 'except for' or 'apart from'.
“Other than the rain, the trip was perfect.”
“Is there anyone here other than you?”
Difference
Used to mean 'different from'.
“The results were other than what we expected.”
“She is other than she seems.”
Adverbial Time (Rare/Correct 'Other Then')
A rare case where 'other' modifies a specific time mentioned as 'then'.
“There were no other then-current options available.”
“He had no other then-existing debts.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + other than + Noun
|
I like any food other than spicy food.
|
|
Negative
|
No/Nothing + other than + Noun
|
I have nothing other than my pride.
|
|
Interrogative
|
Any + Noun + other than + Noun?
|
Is there any way other than this?
|
|
Sentence Starter
|
Other than + Noun, + Clause
|
Other than the price, the car is perfect.
|
|
Formal Difference
|
Be + other than + Clause
|
The truth was other than what we thought.
|
|
Comparison
|
Adjective-er + than
|
This is better than that.
|
|
Sequence
|
Clause + then + Clause
|
I washed it, then I dried it.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
I consume no beverages other than coffee. (Daily habits)
I don't drink anything other than coffee. (Daily habits)
I don't drink nothing other than coffee. (Daily habits)
Coffee's the only thing I'm 'bout. (Daily habits)
The Meaning of 'Other Than'
Synonyms
- Except for Except for
- Apart from Apart from
- Besides Besides
Usage
- Exclusion Exclusion
- Difference Difference
Than vs Then
Which one should I use?
Are you talking about time or sequence?
Are you making an exception or comparison?
レベル別の例文
I like all fruit other than bananas.
I like all fruit except bananas.
Is there anyone here other than me?
Is there anyone here except me?
I have no money other than this dollar.
I have no money except this dollar.
She has no friends other than her cat.
She has no friends except her cat.
Other than the cold weather, the holiday was great.
Except for the cold weather, the holiday was great.
I don't want to go anywhere other than home.
I don't want to go anywhere except home.
Do you have any hobbies other than gaming?
Do you have any hobbies besides gaming?
There is nothing in the fridge other than milk.
There is nothing in the fridge except milk.
The movie was quite boring other than the final scene.
The movie was boring except for the last part.
I haven't told anyone other than my boss about the news.
I only told my boss the news.
Other than a few minor errors, your essay was excellent.
Your essay was great, despite some small mistakes.
We have no choice other than to wait for the bus.
We must wait for the bus; there is no other option.
The company has no assets other than its intellectual property.
The company only owns its ideas and patents.
It is difficult to find a job other than in the service industry here.
Most jobs here are in the service sector.
Other than by increasing taxes, how can the government raise funds?
What are the alternatives to raising taxes?
The witness saw no one other than the defendant at the scene.
The witness only saw the accused person.
The reality of the situation was other than what the media reported.
The situation was different from the media reports.
Other than through rigorous testing, there is no way to verify the claim.
Only rigorous testing can verify the claim.
He had little interest in anything other than the pursuit of wealth.
He was solely focused on getting rich.
The terms of the contract cannot be altered other than by mutual consent.
Both parties must agree to change the contract.
The senator’s motives were other than purely altruistic, as many had suspected.
The senator had hidden agendas beyond just helping people.
One cannot help but wonder if the outcome could have been other than it was.
Could the result have been different?
The manuscript remained untouched by any hand other than the author's for decades.
Only the author touched the manuscript for a long time.
Other than in the most exceptional circumstances, bail is usually granted.
Bail is standard unless the situation is very rare.
間違えやすい
Learners confuse them because they sound almost identical in speech.
Both involve 'than' and comparisons, but they have different meanings.
They mean the same thing, leading to uncertainty about which to use.
よくある間違い
I like all dogs other then big ones.
I like all dogs other than big ones.
He is taller then me.
He is taller than me.
I go to school, than I go home.
I go to school, then I go home.
No one other then Sarah came.
No one other than Sarah came.
Other then that, I am fine.
Other than that, I am fine.
I'd rather stay other than go.
I'd rather stay than go.
Is there any other then this?
Is there any other than this?
The results were other then expected.
The results were other than expected.
I have no other then my word.
I have no other than my word.
Other then by car, how can we get there?
Other than by car, how can we get there?
The other then-existing members...
The other then-existing members...
文型パターン
I don't like ___ other than ___.
Other than ___, the ___ was ___.
There is no way to ___ other than by ___.
The outcome was other than ___.
Real World Usage
I'm free any day other than Friday.
Other than my technical skills, I am a great team player.
Do you have any milk other than soy?
No changes shall be made other than in writing.
Are there any flights other than the 9 AM one?
Nothing makes me happier than coffee, other than maybe my dog.
The 'A' for Alternative
Avoid 'Other then'
Formal Elevation
British 'Apart from'
Smart Tips
Use 'other than' to sound more professional than just using 'but'.
Try replacing it with 'except for'. If it works, use 'than'.
Follow these words with 'other than' for a very strong, clear exclusion.
Never use 'than'. Always use 'then'.
発音
The Schwa Reduction
In natural speech, 'than' and 'then' are both reduced to /ðən/. This is why they are so easily confused.
Emphasis
If you want to emphasize the exception, you might pronounce 'than' with a clear /æ/ sound.
Exclusion Stress
Other than THAT, I'm fine.
Stressing 'that' emphasizes that the exception is small.
暗記しよう
記憶術
ThAn is for Alternatives (Exclusions). ThEn is for Events (Time).
視覚的連想
Imagine a big letter 'A' shaped like a mountain you are comparing things against. Imagine the letter 'E' as a set of stairs you climb one after the other in time.
Rhyme
If it's time you want to pen, use the word that's spelled with E (Then). If a choice is in your plan, use the word that's spelled with A (Than).
Story
A traveler reached a fork in the road. He saw no path 'other than' the dark one. He paused, and 'then' he walked forward. He realized the dark path was better 'than' the sunny one.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write three sentences about your favorite things, but use 'other than' to name one thing you don't like in that category.
文化メモ
'Other than' is extremely common in US business culture to define scope and exceptions in contracts and meetings.
While 'other than' is used, 'apart from' is often preferred in casual British conversation.
'Other than' is preferred over 'except' in formal essays to provide a more academic tone.
'Than' and 'Then' both come from the same Old English root 'thanne' or 'thænne'.
会話のきっかけ
Other than your phone, what is one thing you can't live without?
Other than English, what languages would you like to master?
Have you ever had an experience that was other than what you expected?
Other than hard work, what is the most important factor for success?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
I don't want anything other ___ a glass of water.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Other then the price, I love this house.
I like all music except for country music.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
We went to the park, and ___ we went to the mall.
The reality was other ___ what I had imagined.
Find and fix the mistake:
He had no other then-available options.
Score: /8
練習問題
8 exercisesI don't want anything other ___ a glass of water.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Other then the price, I love this house.
I like all music except for country music.
Match: 1. Other than, 2. Then, 3. Rather than
We went to the park, and ___ we went to the mall.
The reality was other ___ what I had imagined.
Find and fix the mistake:
He had no other then-available options.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI've visited all the continents ___ than Antarctica.
Choose the correct sentence:
There is no explanation for his behavior other then pure curiosity.
What can we do, ___ than just give up?
Translate into English: 'Apart from that, everything is fine.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the words to their functions:
He eats nothing other for breakfast then cereal.
Choose the correct sentence:
The document is complete ___ than the final signature.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Translate into English: 'I don't trust anyone except for you.'
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
Almost never. It only appears when 'then' is an adjective meaning 'at that time' (e.g., 'the other then-current members'). In 99% of writing, use `other than`.
They are synonyms. `Other than` is slightly more formal and can also mean 'different from', whereas `except` only means 'not including'.
Yes! For example: `Other than my sister, no one knows my secret.` Just remember to use a comma after the introductory phrase.
You probably aren't! In fast English, `than` and `then` both sound like 'thun'. People are likely saying `other than`, but the vowel is reduced.
It is used in both, but it is more frequent in American English. British speakers often use `apart from` in the same situations.
Yes, usually in the form of `other than to [verb]`. Example: `He had no choice other than to leave.`
Remember: `thAn` = Alternative (Exclusion). `thEn` = Event (Time).
Yes, in most cases it functions as a multi-word preposition.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
más que / aparte de
English has two distinct words (than/then) where Spanish often uses one (que).
autre que / à part
French uses 'que' for both 'than' and 'that', causing confusion in English.
außer / anders als
German has a clear distinction between 'als' (than) and 'dann' (then), but the English vowels are closer.
以外 (igai)
Japanese uses a noun-based structure (igai) rather than a comparative particle.
غير (ghayr)
Arabic uses a separate word that functions more like 'non-' or 'other'.
除了...以外 (chúle... yǐwài)
Chinese requires a two-part structure to express 'other than'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
関連動画
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