LexBrew
Quick answer 60-second read Canonicalises to Then vs. Than

Is it "better then" or "better than"?

"Better than." Than is for comparisons; then is for time.

Contexti

The then/than swap is one of the most common autocorrect-proof typos because both words are real, spell-checked English — only the meaning distinguishes them. It shows up most in fast typing (DMs, code comments, product reviews) where the writer hears the word in their head and grabs the wrong form.

A little moreii

Any sentence that compares two things — taller than, faster than, better than — takes than. Then fits sequences: first this, then that. If you can swap after that into the sentence, you want then; otherwise, than.

Examplesiii

01

This phone is better then the old one.

This phone is better than the old one.

Two phones being compared → *than*.

02

She ran faster then he did.

She ran faster than he did.

Comparing speeds → *than*.

Watch foriv

If the sentence is really about sequence — first I saved the file, then I ran the buildthen is correct. The giveaway: can you replace it with after that?

The full entryv

Confusables
Then vs. Than

Time versus comparison — two different jobs, one letter apart.

Read the 60-second explainer →

More quick answersvi

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