Many English learners get confused by “more then” and “more than” because the words then and than sound very similar when spoken quickly. However, they have completely different meanings and are used in different situations. If you want to compare two amounts, numbers, people, or things, choosing the correct word is important.
The correct phrase for comparison is “more than.” For example, you should say, “I have more than ten books,” not “I have more then ten books.” The word than is used when comparing things, while then usually refers to time, order, or what happens next. Once you understand this simple difference, it becomes much easier to choose the right word in writing and everyday communication.
Quick Answer
“More than” is correct when you are making a comparison or showing an amount greater than something else. “More then” is usually incorrect because then is related to time or sequence, not comparison. For example, “She has more than five dollars” is correct.
Why Do People Confuse It?
People often confuse then and than because they have similar spellings and pronunciations.
There is also a common typing mistake where someone writes “more then” when they actually mean “more than.”
Remember:
- Than = comparison
- Then = time or order
For example:
- I have more than $20.
- We went home then.
The first sentence compares an amount. The second sentence talks about what happened at a particular time or after something else.
First Word: “More”
More means a greater amount, number, or degree.
It is commonly used when talking about things that are greater in quantity or degree.
Examples:
- I need more water.
- She wants more information.
- He has more experience.
- We need more time.
When more is followed by than, it creates a comparison.
For example:
This box weighs more than that one.
Here, “more than” shows that one box has a greater weight than the other.
Second Word: “Then”
Then usually refers to time, sequence, or the next action.
Examples:
- We ate dinner and then watched a movie.
- Finish your homework then go outside.
- I lived there then.
- If you are ready, then we can leave.
In these sentences, then does not make a comparison.
So, when you want to say that one thing is greater than another, then is not the correct word.
More Then vs. More Than: Comparison Table
| Phrase | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
| More than | Yes | Used for comparison | She has more than ten books. |
| More then | Usually no | Does not normally express comparison | ❌ She has more then ten books. |
| Then | Yes | Time, sequence, or next action | We ate, then we left. |
| Than | Yes | Used to compare things | He is taller than me. |
When Should You Use “More Than”?
Use more than when you want to show that something is greater in amount, number, degree, age, distance, or another measurable quality.
Examples
- I have more than five dollars.
- She is more than 18 years old.
- The building is more than 100 years old.
- We need more than two hours.
- He has more than 50 books.
- This road is more than ten miles long.
You can also use more than in comparisons involving qualities.
- This book is more than useful.
- She is more than capable of doing the job.
- His answer was more than satisfactory.
When Should You Use “Then”?
Use then when talking about what happened next, what happened at a particular time, or the order of events.
Examples
- First, wash your hands. Then eat.
- We went to the store and then came home.
- I was younger then.
- If you agree, then we can begin.
- She lived in London then.
Notice that none of these sentences compare two things.
10+ Examples of “More Than”
Here are some easy examples to help you understand the correct phrase:
- I have more than ten pencils.
- She has more than enough food.
- The bag costs more than $50.
- He is more than six feet tall.
- We waited for more than an hour.
- There were more than 100 people at the event.
- This car is more than ten years old.
- She knows more than I expected.
- The movie lasted more than two hours.
- He earns more than his brother.
- I need more than one reason.
- They traveled more than 500 miles.
In every example, than introduces a comparison or shows an amount greater than another amount.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using “then” for comparison
Incorrect:
I have more then you.
Correct:
I have more than you.
The sentence compares two amounts, so than is required.
Mistake 2: Writing “more then 10”
Incorrect:
There are more then 10 students.
Correct:
There are more than 10 students.
The phrase means the number is greater than 10.
Mistake 3: Confusing “then” with “than”
Incorrect:
My car is faster then yours.
Correct:
My car is faster than yours.
The sentence compares two cars, so use than.
Mistake 4: Thinking “then” and “than” have the same meaning
They do not.
- Than → comparison
- Then → time or sequence
Understanding this difference will prevent many common writing errors.
Memory Trick
A simple way to remember the difference is:
Than = Comparison
Think of the A in than as standing for “another” or “against another thing.”
For example:
Sarah is taller than Emma.
You are comparing Sarah with Emma.
For then, think about time:
First we ate, then we left.
You are describing the order of events.
Another quick trick is:
If you are comparing, choose THAN.
If you are talking about what happens next, choose THEN.
American vs. British English
There is no difference between American and British English when it comes to “more than” and “then.”
Both varieties use:
more than
for comparisons.
For example:
- American English: She has more than 20 books.
- British English: She has more than 20 books.
The spelling and basic usage are the same.
Similarly, then is used for time and sequence in both varieties:
We went shopping and then went home.
Therefore, this is not an American-versus-British English issue. The important point is understanding the meaning of than and then.
Similar Words
Several words can cause confusion because they look or sound similar.
Than
Than is used for comparisons.
John is older than Mark.
Then
Then refers to time or sequence.
We finished dinner and then watched TV.
More
More means a greater amount or degree.
I need more time.
Less
Less means a smaller amount.
I need less time.
Fewer
Fewer is generally used with countable things.
There are fewer students today.
Understanding these words can make comparisons much clearer.
Final Verdict
“More than” is the correct phrase when you are making a comparison or saying that an amount is greater than another amount.
“More then” is not the standard phrase for comparison. It is usually a spelling or typing mistake caused by confusing then with than.
Remember the basic rule:
More than = comparison
Then = time or sequence
So, write “more than 10”, not “more then 10.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “more then” correct?
Usually, no. When you are comparing amounts, numbers, or things, the correct phrase is “more than.” For example, “She has more than five books.”
Is it “more than” or “more then”?
The correct phrase for comparison is “more than.” Use than when showing that one thing is greater than another.
What is the difference between then and than?
Than is mainly used for comparisons, while then is used for time, sequence, or the next event.
Is “more than 10” correct?
Yes. “More than 10” means an amount or number greater than 10.
Why do people write “more then”?
People often write “more then” because then and than look and sound similar. It is a common spelling mistake, especially when writing quickly.
Can “then” be used in a comparison?
Normally, no. Comparisons require than. For example, “She is taller than me,” not “She is taller then me.”
What is an easy way to remember than and then?
Remember: than = comparison and then = time or order. If you are comparing two things, use than.
Remember This
The easiest rule is:
More than = greater amount or comparison
Then = next, afterward, or at that time
So:
âś… I have more than $20.
❌ I have more then $20.
And:
âś… We ate dinner, then we went home.
Once you connect than with comparison and then with time or sequence, this common mistake becomes much easier to avoid.
Conclusion
The difference between “more then” and “more than” is simple once you understand what than and then mean. When you are comparing amounts, numbers, people, objects, or qualities, always use than. That is why “more than” is the correct phrase in sentences such as “I have more than ten dollars.”
Use then when you are talking about time, order, or what happens next. A useful rule to remember is “than = comparison” and “then = time or sequence.” Keep this rule in mind, and you will be much less likely to confuse these two words in your everyday English writing.
