Let’s face it — “other than” vs “other then” confuses even experienced writers. Both sound nearly identical, yet only one is correct. You’ve probably paused mid-sentence, wondering which one fits.

Here’s the quick answer: Only “other than” is correct.

The phrase “other then” doesn’t exist in standard English. But the reason so many people make this mistake lies in the tricky relationship between the words “then” and “than.” They look and sound similar but carry completely different meanings.

This guide breaks everything down — with clear explanations, real-world examples, comparison tables, memory tricks, and exercises — so you never mix them up again.

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The Core Difference Between “Then” and “Than”

Understanding the difference between then and than is the key to mastering the phrase “other than.”

“Then” refers to time or sequence. It shows what happens next or as a result of something.

Examples:

• “I’ll eat breakfast, then go to work.”
• “Back then, people didn’t use smartphones.”

Meanwhile, “than” is used to compare things or express exception.

Examples:

• “She’s taller than her brother.”
• “No one other than Lisa understood the plan.”

In short:

✅ Then = time or result
✅ Than = comparison or exception

Think of then as a timeline word, and than as a comparison word.

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What “Other Than” Actually Means

The phrase “other than” is a combination of the adjective “other” (meaning “different” or “except”) and the conjunction “than.”

It’s used to show contrast, exception, or exclusion. Depending on the sentence, it can function as a preposition or a conjunction.

Meaning and Function

• Preposition: Excludes something or someone.
• Conjunction: Connects two ideas while showing exception.

Examples:

• “I don’t eat meat other than chicken.” (preposition)
• “He looks fine other than being a little tired.” (conjunction)

Table: Uses of “Other Than”

Sentence Type	Function	Example
Noun phrase	Shows exception	“No one other than Jane knows.”
Verb phrase	Adds contrast	“He did nothing other than work.”
Adjective phrase	Highlights exception	“She’s cheerful other than today.”

Essentially, “other than” means except for or besides.

Pro Tip: If you can replace the phrase with “except for” and the sentence still works, “other than” is correct.

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Why “Other Then” Is Always Incorrect

The phrase “other then” may look right at first glance — but grammatically, it makes no sense.

“Then” relates to time or sequence, not comparison or exclusion.
Therefore, using “other then” is like saying “except next,” which doesn’t logically connect.

Common Mistakes:

• ❌ “I have no option other then leaving.”
  ✅ “I have no option other than leaving.”
• ❌ “Nobody came other then Tom.”
  ✅ “Nobody came other than Tom.”

Why it happens:

• Both words sound similar.
• Spell check doesn’t always catch it.
• Predictive text often suggests “then.”

Quick Check: If your sentence talks about time, use then. If it’s about comparison or exclusion, use than.

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“Other Than” vs “Other Then” — Direct Comparison

Here’s a quick table showing how these two phrases differ:

Aspect	Other Than	Other Then
Correctness	✅ Correct	❌ Incorrect
Meaning	Except for / besides	No valid meaning
Used For	Contrast, exception	None
Example	“Other than school, I stay home.”	“Other then school, I stay home.” (wrong)
Grammar Role	Preposition / Conjunction	—
Sound Confusion	Common but fixable	—

Whenever you’re unsure, check if your sentence makes sense with “except for.” If it does, it must be “other than.”

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Real-Life Examples of Correct Usage

Let’s look at how “other than” fits naturally in real writing and conversation.

In Daily Conversation:

• “I don’t drink anything other than water.”
• “Other than that, everything’s fine.”

In Academic Writing:

• “No variable other than age significantly affected the results.”

In Business or Email Writing:

• “We don’t accept payments other than through our website.”

In Casual Speech:

• “I’ve got nothing planned other than watching Netflix.”

These examples show how versatile and natural “other than” sounds in all contexts.

💡 Tip: When proofreading, read aloud. If “other then” feels off rhythmically, it’s because it doesn’t belong.

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“Other Than That” or “Other Then That”?

Another common confusion appears in the phrase “other than that.”

The correct form is always “other than that.”

Examples:

• ✅ “Other than that, everything’s great.”
• ❌ “Other then that, everything’s great.”

Why? Because you’re making an exception, not referring to time.

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Common Writing Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Even native speakers slip up here. Let’s look at what goes wrong and how to correct it.

1. Confusing “Than” and “Then” Due to Sound

• They’re near homophones, especially in fast speech.
• The difference often disappears in conversation.

2. Overreliance on Autocorrect

• Autocorrect doesn’t understand grammar context.
• Always reread important messages or documents.

3. Mixing British and American Conventions

• Luckily, both versions of English agree: “other than” is correct everywhere.

4. Forgetting Context

• Ask yourself: Is this about time or comparison?
  • Time → then
  • Comparison/Exception → than

Checklist Before You Hit “Send”:

• Does the sentence compare or exclude something?
  ✅ Use “than.”
• Does it describe time or sequence?
  ✅ Use “then.”

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Why People Confuse “Other Then” vs “Other Than”

The mix-up isn’t just a spelling slip. It’s a psycholinguistic trap — the brain stores similar-sounding words together.

Here’s what causes it:

• Phonetic similarity: They sound almost identical.
• Typing speed: People type by sound, not by meaning.
• Predictive text: Phones often suggest “then.”
• Education gap: Many grammar lessons skip this subtle distinction.

According to corpus data from online writing tools, “other then” errors appear thousands of times each month — showing just how widespread this confusion is.

Quote:
“Errors like ‘other then’ remind us that English spelling isn’t about sound — it’s about sense.” — Language Expert, 2023

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Tips to Remember the Correct Phrase

Here are memory tools to help you always choose correctly.

1. Mnemonics

• “Than compares, both have A.”
• “Then is about timE.”

2. Visualization

Picture a simple diagram:

THEN → Timeline (Next, After)
THAN → Comparison (Difference, Exception)

3. Swap Test

Try replacing “other than” with “except for.”
If it still makes sense, it’s correct.
Example:

• “Other than that, it’s fine.” → “Except for that, it’s fine.” ✅

4. Repetition Practice

Write five sentences daily using “other than.” The pattern locks in fast.

5. Avoid Relying on Speech-to-Text

These systems often mishear “than” as “then.” Always proofread afterward.

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Practice Section: Quick Exercises

Test yourself! Choose the correct form.

1. I have no choice (other then / other than) to leave early.
2. Nobody came (other then / other than) Sam.
3. Other (then / than) that, everything’s perfect.
4. There’s nothing (other then / other than) truth in her words.

Answers:

1. other than
2. other than
3. other than
4. other than

Mini Writing Challenge:
Write 3 original sentences using “other than.” Replace it with “except for” — if it still works, you nailed it.

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FAQs About “Other Than” vs “Other Then”

Can “Other Then” Ever Be Correct?

No. “Other then” isn’t a valid English phrase. It’s simply a mix-up between “than” and “then.”

Is “Other Than” Formal or Informal?

It works in both. You’ll see it in academic papers, professional writing, and daily speech.

Can You Start a Sentence with “Other Than”?

Yes. Example: “Other than that, I agree completely.” It’s grammatically fine and stylistically smooth.

What’s Another Way to Say “Other Than”?

You can use “besides,” “except for,” or “apart from.”

How Can I Remember the Rule Easily?

Use the rhyme: “Then is when, than is compare.” Simple and unforgettable.

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Key Takeaways

• Only “other than” is correct.
• “Then” refers to time or order.
• “Than” shows comparison or exception.
• The phrase “other then” has no grammatical validity.
• Replace “other than” with “except for” — if it fits, you’re right.

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Conclusion — Master This Grammar Pitfall Once and for All

Small grammar mistakes can ruin clarity, especially in professional writing. “Other then” might seem harmless, but it signals carelessness to readers and editors.

Remember this golden rule:

If it’s about comparison or exclusion — use “other than.”
If it’s about time — use “then.”

Language evolves, but clarity never goes out of style. Mastering distinctions like this one helps your writing sound polished, confident, and human.

So next time you write an email, essay, or social post, pause and check — is it other than or other then? Now you know the answer.

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Bonus: Quick Reference Chart

Phrase	Meaning	Example	Correct?
Other than	Except for / besides	“Other than Tom, everyone came.”	✅
Other then	Incorrect phrase	“Other then Tom, everyone came.”	❌
Then	Refers to time or order	“We went shopping, then had lunch.”	✅
Than	Used for comparison	“She’s faster than me.”	✅

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