"Then" and "Than": Sự khác nhau giữa chúng là gì?

Bài viết này sẽ giải thích điều gì phân biệt những từ quan trọng này, và cung cấp các ví dụ để giúp bạn hiểu và sử dụng chúng trong các cuộc trò chuyện của mình. Không quá khó khi bạn nhìn kỹ chúng. Hãy bắt đầu nào!

Cách sử dụng phổ biến nhất của "then" là để diễn tả rằng điều gì đó đã xảy ra hoặc sẽ xảy ra sau khi một việc khác đã diễn ra.

I’ll go to the gym, then I'll mail my package at the post office.

In this example, the speaker will first go to the gym. After that is finished, they will visit the post office. Here are more examples:

Finish your homework, then you can play video games.

I cut the vegetables, then I boiled the noodles.

Một thời điểm trong thời gian

"Then" cũng được sử dụng để chỉ một thời điểm cụ thể, có thể là trong quá khứ hoặc tương lai.

Gas prices were much cheaper then.

10 o’clock is too late to meet; we’ll be tired from work by then.

That was then, this is now.

Therefore

“Then” is frequently used as a casual way to say “therefore” or “in that case.”

Staff

She’s out of the office right now.

Caller

OK, then I’ll call back later.

Staff

These are on sale today.

Shelly

Really? I’ll take three, then.

That’s too late for us.

Then come earlier.

At the end of a statement

"Then" thường kết thúc các câu nói thông thường, thường sau khi một quyết định đã được đưa ra về điều gì đó.

See you tonight at 8, then.

It is also used in this way to show frustration or annoyance at someone else's action or decision.

Fine, do it your way, then.

Suggestions

The set phrase "Well then ~" is common as an informal way of making a suggestion.

Well then, how about we put on some music?

Well then, shall we go?

Than (conjunction, preposition)

Hãy chuyển sang giải thích về “than”.

Hãy chú ý đến sự khác biệt cả về chính tả và phát âm. Trong một cuộc trò chuyện với tốc độ bình thường, có thể khó nghe thấy sự khác biệt. Tuy nhiên, ngay cả khi chúng nghe giống nhau, bạn nên có thể hiểu từ nào đang được sử dụng dựa trên ngữ cảnh.

Making comparisons

A woman standing on a platform as a train approaches the station

”Than” is basically used when comparing things or situations.

The new trains are faster than the older ones.

I like Chicago-style pizza more than the kind from New York.

I feel more confident than I did in the past.

You came earlier than I expected.

In the last example, someone's arrival is compared to when the speaker thought they would arrive.

Expressing contrast

This usage is similar in meaning to “instead of.”

In business, it’s often better to move quickly than to wait for your competitors to act first.

At the beginning of a sentence, it is used together with "rather."

Rather than sit and wait for help, we decided to find a solution ourselves.

Exceptions

Used with “other,” it means "except for" and expresses that something or someone is not included.

Other than Millie, everyone here is a vegetarian.

I didn’t pack anything other than my laptop.

Here, the laptop is not included in "anything."

Common expressions with “then” and “there”

A woman sitting on her bed next to an open suitcase while deciding what to pack for a trip

Finally, let's look at some expressions that use these two words.

Then and there

Meaning: at that specific moment

I knew then and there that I wanted to become a doctor.

Better late than never

Meaning: something that happens late is better than something that never happens

My delivery was delayed a whole week, but better late than never, I guess.

Better safe than sorry

Meaning: preparation is important in order to avoid trouble or inconvenience in the future

I probably won't need this jacket, but I’ll bring it anyway. Better safe than sorry, right?

Gas prices were much cheaper then.

10 o’clock is too late to meet; we’ll be tired from work by then.

That was then, this is now.

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