Have you ever paused while writing a sentence and wondered whether “more than” or “more then” is the correct expression? This common mix-up happens because than and then sound similar, but they have completely different meanings and grammatical roles.
“More than” is the correct phrase when you are making a comparison, such as saying that one thing is greater, larger, or higher than another. “Then” usually relates to time, sequence, or what happens next, so “more then” is generally incorrect when making a comparison.
Understanding this simple difference can instantly make your writing clearer and more professional. Whether you’re writing an email, creating website content, completing an assignment, or simply improving your English, knowing when to use more than vs. more then is an important skill.
Quick Answer:
✅ More than is the correct phrase when making comparisons or talking about quantities. ❌ More then is almost always incorrect unless then starts a new part of the sentence with a different meaning.
What Is the Difference Between More Than and More Then?
The difference is simple.
| Phrase | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
| More than | ✅ Yes | Greater in amount, number, degree, or comparison | She has more than 100 books. |
| More then | ❌ Usually No | Not a standard phrase; only appears when then means “after that” | I ate more, then I went home. |
The short rule is:
- Use more than for comparisons and quantities.
- Use then only when talking about time, sequence, or what happens next.
What Does “More Than” Mean?
More than means a greater amount, number, degree, or quantity.
It is one of the most common comparison phrases in English.
You use “more than” when:
- Comparing two things
- Talking about numbers
- Describing amounts
- Expressing emphasis
- Showing preferences
Examples
- She earns more than her brother.
- There were more than 500 guests.
- I like tea more than coffee.
- The project took more than three months.
- This book is more than interesting, it is inspiring.
How to Use “More Than” Correctly
Comparing People
Examples:
- Emma studies more than Jake.
- My sister travels more than I do.
- Dogs sleep more than cats.
Comparing Numbers
Examples:
- The company hired more than 50 employees.
- We received more than 2,000 applications.
- More than 80% of students passed the exam.
Comparing Quality
Examples:
- This phone costs more than mine.
- The blue dress is more than twice as expensive.
- His explanation helped more than the textbook.
Expressing Emphasis
Sometimes more than means very or extremely.
Examples:
- I am more than happy to help.
- She is more than capable of doing the job.
- We are more than grateful.
What Does “Then” Mean?
Then refers to time, sequence, or what happens next.
It answers questions like:
- When?
- What happened next?
- What comes after?
Examples
- Finish your homework, then watch TV.
- We had dinner, then went for a walk.
- Back then, smartphones didn’t exist.
- If it rains, then we’ll stay inside.
Notice that then has nothing to do with comparisons.
Why “More Then” Is Usually Incorrect
Many writers accidentally replace than with then because the words sound similar.
Incorrect:
- ❌ She has more then ten friends.
- ❌ I earn more then you.
- ❌ More then 100 people attended.
Correct:
- ✅ She has more than ten friends.
- ✅ I earn more than you.
- ✅ More than 100 people attended.
The only time both words appear together is when they perform separate jobs.
Example:
We bought more, then we left.
Here:
- more means additional.
- then means after that.
This is not the phrase more than.
More Than vs More Then Comparison Table
| Feature | More Than | More Then |
| Standard English | ✅ Yes | ❌ Usually No |
| Used for comparisons | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Used for quantities | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Used for time | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Used in sequence | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Common in formal writing | ✅ Yes | ❌ Rarely |
| Example | More than five books | Eat more, then leave |
Grammar Rule You Should Remember
Think of it this way:
Than = Comparison
Examples:
- taller than
- faster than
- more than
- less than
- rather than
Then = Time
Examples:
- first…
- then…
- next…
- after that…
Memory Trick to Never Mix Them Up 🧠
Here’s an easy mnemonic.
THAN = Comparison
The word than has the letter A.
Think:
A = Comparing Amounts
Examples:
- bigger than
- older than
- more than
THEN = Time
The word then has the letter E.
Think:
E = Events
Events happen in order.
First…
Then…
Next…
This simple trick helps many English learners remember the difference.
Common Mistakes People Make
Mistake 1
❌ More then five students arrived.
✅ More than five students arrived.
Mistake 2
❌ My salary is more then yours.
✅ My salary is more than yours.
Mistake 3
❌ She is older then me.
✅ She is older than me.
Mistake 4
❌ Complete your assignment than go home.
✅ Complete your assignment then go home.
Mistake 5
❌ I like pizza then burgers.
✅ I like pizza more than burgers.
Real-Life Examples
Emails 📧
Correct:
Please submit the report if it exceeds more than 20 pages.
Better:
Please submit the report if it is more than 20 pages long.
Social Media 📱
- I slept more than 10 hours today!
- This movie deserves more than five stars.
- I love summer more than winter.
News Headlines 📰
- More than 2 million tourists visited the city.
- More than 500 firefighters responded.
- More than half the voters participated.
Academic Writing 🎓
- More than 70% of participants agreed.
- Students who practiced more than twice a week improved significantly.
- More than one variable influenced the results.
Everyday Conversation ☕
- I need more than one cup of coffee.
- We waited more than an hour.
- I enjoy reading more than watching TV.
Examples of “Then” in Real Life
Daily Conversation
- Brush your teeth, then go to bed.
- We finished shopping, then drove home.
Instructions
- Click Save.
- Then restart the computer.
Storytelling
- First we explored the museum.
- Then we visited the café.
- Then we walked home.
More Than in Different Sentence Types
With Numbers
- More than 100 visitors came.
- More than five countries participated.
- More than $1 million was donated.
With Time
- We waited more than two hours.
- She has worked here for more than ten years.
- The flight lasted more than twelve hours.
With Money
- The laptop costs more than $900.
- Repairs exceeded more than expected.
- He donated more than $5,000.
With Feelings
- I love you more than words can say.
- She appreciates your support more than you know.
- They cared more than anyone expected.
Common Expressions Using “More Than”
These phrases appear frequently in English.
- More than enough
- More than likely
- More than happy
- More than capable
- More than ever
- More than once
- More than expected
- More than half
- More than necessary
- More than usual
Examples
- We have more than enough food.
- She’s more than happy to help.
- It happened more than once.
- The results were more than expected.
British vs American English
Good news!
There is no difference between British English and American English for more than and more then.
Both varieties use:
- ✅ more than
- ✅ then (for time)
The grammar rule is exactly the same worldwide.
Tips to Avoid This Grammar Mistake
Remember these simple rules:
- ✅ Use than after comparison words.
- ✅ Use then for time and order.
- ✅ Read your sentence aloud.
- ✅ Ask yourself whether you’re comparing something.
- ✅ Proofread before publishing.
- ✅ Use grammar-checking tools when writing important documents.
Practice Quiz
Choose the correct answer.
1.
There are _____ 300 people here.
- A. more than
- B. more then
✅ Answer: More than
2.
Finish dinner, _____ wash the dishes.
- A. than
- B. then
✅ Answer: Then
3.
I like basketball _____ football.
- A. than
- B. then
✅ Answer: Than
4.
She waited _____ two hours.
- A. more than
- B. more then
✅ Answer: More than
5.
We visited the beach, _____ drove home.
- A. than
- B. then
✅ Answer: Then
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is “more then” ever correct?
Not as a fixed phrase. More then is usually a typo for more than. It only appears when more and then happen to be separate words serving different purposes in a sentence.
Is “more than” grammatically correct?
Yes. More than is the standard and correct phrase for comparisons, quantities, and amounts.
Why do people confuse than and then?
They look and sound similar, especially in fast typing. However, than is for comparisons, while then relates to time or sequence.
Can I use “more then” in formal writing?
No. In almost every case, it is considered a spelling mistake. Use more than instead.
Is there a British or American difference?
No. Both British and American English follow the same grammar rule.
What is the easiest way to remember the difference?
Think A = Comparison in than and E = Events in then. Comparisons use than, while events in time use then.
Which phrase appears more often in English?
More than is far more common because it is used in everyday conversations, business writing, journalism, academic papers, and digital content.
Conclusion
Although more than and more then look almost identical, only one is usually correct. Use more than whenever you’re comparing people, objects, numbers, or amounts. Reserve then for talking about time, order, or what happens next.
A quick way to remember the rule is this: comparison = than, time = then. With a little practice, you’ll avoid one of the most common English grammar mistakes and write with greater confidence.
I am David Wilson, a passionate English grammar writer dedicated to making language learning simple and easy to understand. I am focused on helping readers improve their grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills with clear and practical explanations. I am committed to creating helpful content that removes confusion from commonly mistaken English rules.
