Grammatically speaking, then is used as an adverb or adjective, while than is used as a conjunction or preposition. Perhaps the most common way the two words are confused is when then is used when it should be than, but doing the reverse is also a common mistake.
The meaning of THEN is at that time. How to use then in a sentence.
He's always harking back to his childhood and saying how things were better then. Just then, the lights went out. The train leaves at three minutes to eight, so we'd better get there a few minutes before then. If you come to the surgery at 10.30, the doctor will see you then.
Then means at a particular time in the past or in the future. He wanted to have a source of income after his retirement; until then, he wouldn't require additional money. Executives pledged to get the company back on track. Since then, though, shares have fallen 30 per cent.
Then came a maid with hand-bag and shawls, and after her a tall young lady. She stood for a moment holding her skirt above the grimy steps, with something of the stately pose which Richter has given his Queen Louise on the stairway, and the light of the reflector fell full upon her.
- at that time: Prices were lower then. 2. immediately or soon afterward: The rain stopped and then started again. 3. next in order of time or place: We ate, then we started home.
The word "then" is a versatile adverb that indicates time, sequence, or consequence. Its correct use enhances clarity in expressing chronological order or logical outcomes.