Many English learners confuse more then vs more than because the words then and than sound similar.
However, these two words have completely different meanings in English grammar. Using the wrong one can easily make a sentence look incorrect or confusing.
Quick Answer
- More than = correct phrase
- More then = incorrect in most situations
Correct Example
- She has more than ten books.
Incorrect Example
- She has more then ten books.
What Does “More Than” Mean?
More than is used to compare amounts, numbers, sizes, time, or degree. It means:
- greater than
- exceeding something
Examples
- He earns more than his brother.
- The movie lasted more than two hours.
- We invited more than fifty people.
- She loves coffee more than tea.
Common Uses
- more than enough
- more than likely
- more than expected
- more than before
Why “More Then” Is Incorrect
The word then relates to:
- time
- sequence
- what happens next
It does not work correctly in comparisons involving quantity or amount.
What “Then” Means
- First we ate dinner, then we watched a movie.
- Finish your homework, then go outside.
Because of this rule, phrases comparing amounts should always use:
- than
Not:
- then
More Then vs More Than Comparison Table
| Phrase | Correct? | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| More than | Yes | Comparisons and amounts |
| More then | No | Usually a grammar mistake |
Easy Difference Between Than and Then
Than = Comparison
Use than when comparing:
- bigger than
- faster than
- more than
Then = Time
Use then for sequence or time:
- and then
- back then
- then we left
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
- There were more then twenty students.
Correct
- There were more than twenty students.
Incorrect
- I like pizza more then burgers.
Correct
- I like pizza more than burgers.
American vs British English
There is no difference between American and British English here. Both use:
- more than
The phrase more then is considered incorrect in standard English.
Easy Trick to Remember
Than = Compare
Both words contain:
- “a”
Think:
- compArison → thAn
Then = Time
Think:
- then = next in time
FAQs
Is more then ever correct?
Usually no. Most of the time, people accidentally mean “more than.”
Which phrase is grammatically correct?
More than is correct for comparisons.
What is the difference between than and then?
Than is used for comparison, while then relates to time or sequence.
Why do people confuse then and than?
They sound similar in pronunciation.
Do British and American English use different spellings?
No. Both use more than.
Final Thought
Now you clearly understand that more than is the correct phrase for comparisons, amounts, and quantities, while more then is usually just a grammar mistake caused by confusing “then” and “than.”
Because of this simple difference, your writing can immediately become clearer and more professional.
As you continue practicing English, you will naturally remember that than belongs in comparisons, while then relates to time or sequence.
Leo Meteo is a versatile blogger who writes about lifestyle, trends, and wellness topics. He enjoys creating content that is informative, relatable, and engaging for readers. Leo actively contributes articles to NickHubs.com, helping grow its content library.
