People often confuse these two common words, but in no sense are they interchangeable. Than is a conjunction used in comparisons: “Better late than never.” “I would rather be happy than rich.” “Blood is thicker than water.” “He is taller than I am.” Then is an adverb pertaining to time: “We said goodbye, and then we went home.” “The way we lived then is quite different from the way we live now.” “Finish your supper; then you can watch TV.”