📘 Vocabulary

Then vs Than with Bangla Meaning – Difference, Rules & Examples

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A1-Beginner ⏱️ Estimated mastery: 12 min

✍️ Mohammad Yeasin 📅 July 15, 2026 📘 Vocabulary 🔄 Updated: July 15, 2026

⭐ Standard Article 📚 Vocabulary 🎯 BCS / IELTS / Bank 📖 A1-Beginner

🎯 After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

✔ Understand the difference between Then and Than
✔ Use Then for time and sequence correctly
✔ Use Than for comparison correctly
✔ Avoid common mistakes in writing and exams
✔ Answer BCS, IELTS, and Bank Job questions confidently

⏰

Then

Time / Sequence

⚖️

Than

Comparison

🧠

Memory Trick

T = Time, C = Compare

🎯

Exam Focus

BCS / IELTS / Bank

📖 1. Introduction

Then and Than are two of the most commonly confused words in English. They sound similar but have completely different meanings and uses. (Then এবং Than ইংরেজির সবচেয়ে সাধারণ দ্ব্যর্থক শব্দগুলির মধ্যে দুটি। এগুলি একই রকম শোনায় কিন্তু সম্পূর্ণ ভিন্ন অর্থ ও ব্যবহার রয়েছে।)

The good news is that the rule is very simple: Then is used for time or sequence, and Than is used for comparison. (সুসংবাদটি হলো যে নিয়মটি খুব সহজ: Then ব্যবহার করা হয় সময় বা ক্রম বোঝাতে, এবং Than ব্যবহার করা হয় তুলনা বোঝাতে।)

📝 "I ate then I slept." (Time/Sequence)

📝 "আমি খেলাম তারপর ঘুমালাম।" (সময়/ক্রম)

📝 "She is taller than me." (Comparison)

📝 "সে আমার চেয়ে লম্বা।" (তুলনা)

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📚 2. Definition – Then vs Than

Then

(Adverb)

তারপর, তখন

Used for time, sequence, or consequence

Than

(Conjunction/Preposition)

চেয়ে, তুলনায়

Used for comparison between two things

👨‍🏫 The Golden Rule

Then = Time / Sequence | Than = Comparison

Then = সময় / ক্রম | Than = তুলনা

⚡ 3. Quick Comparison

Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you understand the difference: (পার্থক্য বোঝার জন্য এখানে একটি পাশাপাশি তুলনা দেওয়া হলো:)

Feature	Then	Than
Part of Speech	Adverb	Conjunction/Preposition
Meaning	Time, sequence, consequence	Comparison
Bangla Meaning	তারপর, তখন	চেয়ে, তুলনায়
Example	I ate then I slept.	She is taller than me.
Bangla Translation	আমি খেলাম তারপর ঘুমালাম।	সে আমার চেয়ে লম্বা।
Test	Can you replace it with "at that time"?	Is it comparing two things?

🧠 4. Memory Trick – Never Forget Again

Use these simple tricks to remember the difference forever: (পার্থক্যটি চিরকাল মনে রাখতে এই সহজ কৌশলগুলি ব্যবহার করুন:)

💡 Memory Trick #1 – The T & C Rule

Then = Time (both start with T)

Than = Comparison (has a 'c' sound)

💡 Memory Trick #2 – The Vowel Rule

Then has an e – like event or sequence.

Than has an a – like apply or compare.

💡 Memory Trick #3 – Bangla Connection

Then = তারপর (time) – when you need "por" (later).

Than = চেয়ে (comparison) – when you need "cheye".

📝 5. Examples with Bangla Translation

Here are more examples to help you understand the difference: (পার্থক্য বোঝার জন্য এখানে আরও উদাহরণ দেওয়া হলো:)

🔹 Then (Time / Sequence)

1. "I woke up at 6 AM, then I went for a walk."

"আমি সকাল ৬টায় ঘুম থেকে উঠলাম, তারপর হাঁটতে গেলাম।"

2. "First, we eat. Then, we sleep."

"প্রথমে, আমরা খাই। তারপর, আমরা ঘুমাই।"

3. "I was at home then."

"আমি তখন বাড়িতে ছিলাম।"

4. "He arrived and then left."

"সে এসেছিল এবং তারপর চলে গেল।"

5. "If you are ready, then we can go."

"যদি তুমি প্রস্তুত হও, তাহলে আমরা যেতে পারি।"

🔸 Than (Comparison)

1. "She is smarter than her brother."

"সে তার ভাইয়ের চেয়ে বেশি বুদ্ধিমান।"

2. "This book is better than that one."

"এই বইটি ঐটির চেয়ে ভালো।"

3. "I work harder than you."

"আমি তোমার চেয়ে বেশি কাজ করি।"

4. "He earns more money than me."

"সে আমার চেয়ে বেশি টাকা উপার্জন করে।"

5. "She arrived earlier than expected."

"সে প্রত্যাশার চেয়ে তাড়াতাড়ি পৌঁছেছিল।"

🔹 Side-by-Side Comparison

Then: "I studied, then I took a break."

"আমি পড়াশোনা করলাম, তারপর বিরতি নিলাম।"

Than: "I studied more than I did yesterday."

"আমি গতকালের চেয়ে বেশি পড়াশোনা করলাম।"

❌ 6. Common Mistakes – Bangladeshi Students

Here are the most common mistakes Bangladeshi students make with then and than: (বাংলাদেশী শিক্ষার্থীরা then এবং than নিয়ে সবচেয়ে বেশি যে ভুলগুলি করে:)

❌ "She is taller then me."

✅ "She is taller than me."

📖 "Than" is used for comparison. "Then" is for time.

❌ "I ate dinner, than I slept."

✅ "I ate dinner, then I slept."

📖 "Then" is used for sequence. "Than" is for comparison.

❌ "He is better then her."

✅ "He is better than her."

📖 "Than" is used for comparison. "Then" is for time.

❌ "I was at home than."

✅ "I was at home then."

📖 "Then" is used for time. "Than" is for comparison.

👨‍🏫 BCS Exam Tip

In BCS and Bank Job exams, the most common test is: then = time and than = comparison. Remember the T & C rule!

🎯 7. Exam Tips – BCS, IELTS & Bank Jobs

📘 For BCS & Bank Jobs

Then vs Than is frequently tested in error correction and sentence completion.
Most questions test the basic rule: then = time/sequence, than = comparison.
Look for clues: If there's a comparison (taller, smarter, better), use than.
If there's a sequence (first...then, after...then), use then.

🌍 For IELTS

Using then and than correctly improves your lexical resource score.
In writing, avoid common errors – it shows advanced command of English.
In speaking, natural use of these words shows fluency and accuracy.

🎒 For HSC & SSC

Board exams often test this pair in grammar sections.
Remember the T & C rule: Then = Time, Than = Comparison.

BCS Example:

"He is smarter ______ his brother."

✅ "He is smarter than his brother."

📖 Comparison → use "than".

🎯 BCS Vocabulary Guide → 🌍 IELTS Vocabulary 2026 →

🧠 8. Practice Quiz – Then vs Than

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

1. She is taller ______ me.

2. I ate dinner, ______ I slept.

3. He is better ______ her.

4. I was at home ______.

5. She works harder ______ I do.

6. I woke up, ______ I brushed my teeth.

7. This book is better ______ that one.

📌 Take more vocabulary quizzes →

❓ 9. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between then and than? ▾

Then is used for time or sequence (e.g., 'I ate then I slept'). Than is used for comparison (e.g., 'She is taller than me').

How can I remember the difference between then and than? ▾

Use the memory trick: Then = Time (both start with T), Than = Comparison (has a 'c' sound). Or remember: 'Then' has 'e' for 'event' or 'sequence', 'Than' has 'a' for 'compare'.

Can 'than' be used for time? ▾

No, 'than' is never used for time. It is only used for comparison. If you are talking about time or sequence, always use 'then'.

Can 'then' be used for comparison? ▾

No, 'then' is never used for comparison. It is only used for time or sequence. If you are comparing two things, always use 'than'.

Is then or than more common in BCS exams? ▾

Both are frequently tested in BCS, IELTS, and Bank Job exams. The most common test is choosing between 'then' (time) and 'than' (comparison) in sentence completion and error correction.

Does the Ovidhan app include then and than practice? ▾

Yes, the Ovidhan app includes 12,658+ words with Bangla meanings, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences – all offline. You can practice then and than with flashcards and quizzes.

📝 10. Summary

Mastering the difference between Then and Than is essential for clear communication and exam success. Here are the key takeaways:

Then = Time / Sequence – use for order of events
Than = Comparison – use for comparing two things
Memory Trick: T = Time (Then) | C = Comparison (Than)
Bangla Connection: Then = তারপর | Than = চেয়ে
Exam Focus: In BCS, IELTS, and Bank Jobs, the time/comparison rule is most tested

💡 Golden Rule

"If it's time or sequence, use then. If it's a comparison, use than."

"যদি এটি সময় বা ক্রম হয়, then ব্যবহার করুন। যদি এটি তুলনা হয়, than ব্যবহার করুন।"

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👨‍🏫

Mohammad Yeasin

Founder of Ovidhan – Building the best English learning platform for Bangladeshi students.

📘 English Grammar • 📚 Vocabulary • 🎯 BCS • 🌍 IELTS • 🏦 Bank Jobs

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