How to Stop Confusing “what” and “later”
If you’ve ever had to stop and ask yourself “is it easier said than done, or easier said than done,” you are not alone. We probably don’t think about “what” and “then” too often when we speak, because they sound very similar anyway. However, when we write, these two little words that look and act the same can confuse us. But you can learn to master them.
We’ll first talk about how they differ, and then we ’ll come up with a little mnemonic device to actually remember which one to use. But simply put, “than” is used to help us compare things; “Then” is used when it refers to something in time.
How
Than serves primarily as a union (and, less often, an excuse ) when we make comparisons. Crispy Cream donuts are better than Dunkin donuts. Places, people or objects can be bigger, bigger, farther or richer than others.
So yeah, easier said than done, but we’re working on it – and we’re smarter than we might think. Plus, we’d rather know the difference than live the rest of our lives using them incorrectly.
Then
Okay, then it’s time . Then there is an adverb, noun, or adjective that reinforces us in time. Once we know the difference, then we can move on. Until then , we’ll just practice a little. Use “then” in phrases like only then, since then, then, even then, and from time to time.
Of course, it’s English, which means there are always exceptions, as Merriam-Webster points out :
In a few cases, though, than is used to say that something is happening immediately after something else, that is, it is used when you are talking about something that is related to time. Thus, “Before I could explain a rule than an exception occurred to him” it is than not what is required. And also, as soon as I explained it with what, and hardly did I explain it with what.
A trick to remember the difference
It is still easy to get confused, so if you are trying to remember which word is the word “time” and which is the word “comparison,” the answer lies in the words themselves. Th e n and e both have Es; i in n and in rison assessed both have both.
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