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TOEIC Link Part 5: than versus then

Than is a conjunction used for comparisons. Then is an adverb about time or sequence. They differ by one letter and sound nearly identical, so Part 5 uses the pair to test whether the slot is comparing two things or marking what happens next.

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TOEIC Link Part 5: than versus then

Than and then are separated by a single vowel and sound almost the same in fast speech, but they do completely different grammatical jobs, and Part 5 builds questions around exactly that kind of one-letter distinction. Than is a conjunction used to introduce the second half of a comparison. Then is an adverb about time or sequence — what happens next, or at that point. The slot's surrounding words tell you which job is needed, so you read for a comparison versus a time marker. For the broader skill of matching the answer to the grammatical role of the slot, see word choice versus word form.

The core rule: comparison versus sequence

  • than is a conjunction of comparison. It follows a comparative word — more, less, better, faster, -er adjectives — and joins the two things being compared: cheaper than last year / more reliable than the old model / sooner than expected.
  • then is an adverb of time or sequence. It means at that time, next, or in that case: Finish the draft, then send it. / We were busier then. / If the form is complete, then submit it.

A memory hook: comparison has an a in it, and so does than. Sequence and time both relate to then with an e, the same e as in next and when.

How to read the slot

  • Look back for a comparative word → than. If you see more, less, -er, better, greater, rather, or other before the slot, the sentence is comparing, so the slot is than: The new server is faster (blank) the previous one → than.
  • Look for a time or order signal → then. If the slot follows a step and introduces the next action, or means "at that time," it is then: Save the file, (blank) close the program → then.

The fastest test: ask whether two things are being measured against each other. If yes, you want than. If the sentence is moving from one moment or step to the next, you want then.

Common Part 5 traps

  • A comparative adjective is the giveaway for than. Words ending in -er or preceded by more/less almost always pair with than. If the option set offers both, scan backward for the comparative first.
  • A list of steps points to then. When the sentence describes a procedure (complete X, (blank) do Y), the slot is sequencing actions, so it is then, not than.
  • "Rather _" and "other _" take than. Fixed pairings like rather than and other than use the comparison word even without an obvious -er adjective. Memorize these as set phrases.
  • Do not choose by sound. In casual speech the two reduce to the same vowel, so the only reliable signal is structure: a comparison nearby means than, a time or order signal means then.

Quick check

Decide whether the slot compares two things or marks sequence, then choose.

  1. The express option is more expensive (blank) the standard shipment.
  2. Confirm the totals, (blank) forward the invoice to accounting.
  3. Demand was far higher (blank) the team had forecast.
  4. If the system flags an error, (blank) restart the upload.

Answers: 1. than (after more expensive) 2. then (next step) 3. than (after higher) 4. then (if ... then, sequence).

The takeaway

Than and then differ by one letter, so read the structure rather than trusting your ear: a comparative word nearby means you want the comparison conjunction than, while a time or order signal means you want the sequence adverb then. When in doubt, check for a hidden -er, more, or less — that is your cue for than. For more pairs where structure decides the answer, see loose versus lose and accept versus except.