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“Other than” or “other then:” which is the correct spelling? You may often hear these phrases in use, and not know which one to use. A similar example that causes confusion is to late vs too late; while we hear this often in speech, the spelling often trips up native English speakers.
Let’s take a look at the difference between “other than” and “other then,” and give you some tips on when to use each one. So read on to learn more!
Other Than or Other Then: What’s The Difference
The correct spelling is “other than.” This can be used as a preposition or conjunction, like words such as before, after, until, since, etc.
Meanwhile, the phrase “other then” does not actually exist – it should always be the spelling “other than”.
“Other Than” Meaning
When you want to refer to something different or an exception to a pattern, it’s best to use “other than.
This phrase can be used in various contexts, such as when discussing something that might change or break the usual pattern.
“Other Than” Synonyms
Alternative words for “other than” include:
- apart from
- except for
- not including
- aside from
- besides
- bar
- barring
- excluding
“Other Than” Example Sentences
Here are some examples of how you could use “other than”:
- I’m open to trying new foods other than squid.
- I don’t have any interests other than gaming.
- Other than cooking, I’m not very good at household chores.
- I usually eat healthy snacks, but today I want to try something other than fruit.
- Other than the weather, everything else was perfect.
- We don’t have any option other than waiting.
- She didn’t think of anything other than going to the beach on vacation.
Than Vs Then: When To Use Each
It’s easy to get “than” and “then” mixed up as they seem very similar.
“Than” is usually used with comparisons, such as when you’re comparing one thing to another. Meanwhile, “then” is typically used in the context of time or sequences.
So remember: if it involves a comparison, use “than” and if it involves time or sequence, use “then.”
Example Sentences with “Than” and “Then”
Here are some examples of the difference between “than” and “then:”
- I think pizza is better than sushi.
- I went to the store first, then to the bank.
- She sings better than she plays guitar.
- First, you need to open the box, and then you can put it together.
- He ran faster than his brother.
- I’ll finish eating dinner; then I’m going to watch a movie.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this post has helped you understand the difference between “other than” and “other then.” Remember, only “other than” is correct and should be used in all cases. Keep this in mind when you are writing or speaking English!
If you have any other questions about English grammar or usage, comment below, and we’ll be sure to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Commonly asked questions related to our topic “other than” vs. “other then.”
Which Is Correct: “Then” or “Than”?
“Than” is used when making a comparison between two things, such as in the sentence, “I think pizza is better than sushi.” Meanwhile, “then” is used to refer to a sequence of events or time, like in the sentence, “I went to the store first, then I went to the bank.”
When Do We Use “Other Than”
“Other than” is used when you want to refer to something different or an exception from a pattern. This phrase can be used in various negative contexts, such as when you’re discussing something that might change or break the usual pattern. For example, “Other than mushrooms, I’m open to trying new foods.”
How Do You Remember “Then” and “Than”
A useful way to remember the difference between “then” and “than” is to think of it in terms of time or sequence (for “then”) and comparisons (for “than”). That way, you can easily determine which one should be used for a particular sentence. Additionally, try using synonyms for each word, such as later for “then” and compared to for “than.” This will help you remember the difference between them.
How Do You Say “Other Than” (That) In a Formal Way?
“Other than (that)” sounds okay in conversation but may sound a little informal in writing. If you want to say “other than that” in a more formal way, there are a few options. For example, you could say “apart from that,” “besides that,” or “aside from that.” These phrases all work well in formal contexts and can convey the same meaning as “other than that.”
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I'm an Irish tutor and founder of TPR Teaching. I started teaching in 2016 and have since taught in the UK, Spain, and online.
I love learning new things about the English language and how to teach it better. I'm always trying to improve my knowledge, so I can better meet the needs of others!
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