Other Than or Other Then: Which One Is Correct?

Here’s a short look at Other Than or Other Then, a mix-up that appears in English writing and creates confusion for many speakers today.

When I explain these expressions to learners, I show how other than signals exception while other then ties to a sequence, even though both sound close and share similar patterns. Their usage depends on meaning, and the examples we use help make the differences clear, especially when the purpose is to avoid an error that feels small but changes the whole sentence. Over the years, I’ve seen how writers struggle simply because habits vary, and the mind jumps to the form that looks right instead of the one that serves the intended role.

To ensure you choose the correct form, I often tell learners to read their sentences out loud; the rhythm makes the contrast between time and comparison obvious. When you slow down, the nuanced difference becomes clear, even if your accent is pronounced or your speaking style is a bit unfamiliar. Good writing isn’t about rigid rules—it’s about awareness, and avoiding those tiny slip-ups that once made me rethink how I explained grammar to new writers.

Quick Overview

Many English learners and even native speakers struggle with other than vs other then. The issue arises because “than” and “then” sound similar, but their meanings are completely different.

• Other than is correct in nearly all situations.
• Other then is almost always wrong unless used in rare, unconventional contexts (we’ll explain more later).

By the end of this article, you’ll be able to spot the difference instantly and use these phrases confidently.

Understanding the Confusion Between “Other Then” and “Other Than”

The confusion between other than and other then comes from pronunciation and casual writing habits. Both words sound alike in speech, especially when spoken quickly, which leads many to type “then” when they mean “than.”

Here’s why the mix-up happens:

• Than is used for comparisons or exceptions.
• Then refers to time, sequence, or consequence.

For example:

• Correct: “No one other than you can lead this project.”
• Incorrect: “No one other then you can lead this project.”

Using the wrong word can subtly change your meaning or make your sentence confusing.

What “Other Than” Really Means

Other than is a phrase that functions as a preposition. It expresses exceptions, differences, or contrasts.

Common Uses:

• To indicate an exception
  • “Other than John, everyone attended the meeting.”
• To indicate contrast
  • “Other than the weather, the trip was perfect.”
• To compare or differentiate
  • “Other than her height, she has all the qualities of a great athlete.”

Quick tip: Whenever you are trying to highlight an exception, choice, or contrast, “other than” is usually correct.

Why “Other Then” Is Incorrect

Other then is almost always a mistake.

• Then refers to time, sequence, or result, not comparison.
• Pairing “other” with “then” doesn’t make grammatical sense in standard English.

Examples of incorrect usage:

• ❌ “Other then Peter, everyone agreed.”
• ❌ “Other then the first chapter, the book is amazing.”

Correcting it is simple: replace then with than in these contexts.

Rule of thumb: If the sentence involves an exception, comparison, or contrast, always use than, never then.

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

Here’s a side-by-side look to clarify their meanings:

Phrase	Correct Usage	Meaning	Example
Other Than	✅ Yes	Indicates exception or contrast	“Other than Sarah, no one else was invited.”
Other Then	❌ No	Often misused, refers to time	“Other then Sarah, no one else was invited.” (Incorrect)

Notice how small mistakes can completely confuse the reader.

Real-Life Examples of Correct and Incorrect Usage

Understanding through examples helps cement the rules.

Correct usage of “Other Than”:

• “Other than Monday, I’m free all week.”
• “No one other than the manager can approve this request.”
• “Other than a minor scratch, the car is in perfect condition.”

Incorrect usage of “Other Then”:

• ❌ “Other then Monday, I’m free all week.”
• ❌ “No one other then the manager can approve this request.”
• ❌ “Other then a minor scratch, the car is in perfect condition.”

Humorous example:

• ❌ “Other then my cat, everyone hates cleaning.”
• ✅ “Other than my cat, everyone hates cleaning.”

Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Many people get tripped up by common phrases or informal shortcuts. Here’s what to watch for:

• “Other than that” vs “Other then that”
  
  • Correct: “Other than that, the report looks great.”
  • Incorrect: “Other then that, the report looks great.”
• Mixing up in professional writing
  
  • Emails and reports often contain: “Other then John, the team agrees.” → ❌
  • Corrected: “Other than John, the team agrees.” ✅
• Social media errors
  
  • Casual typing leads to “Other then my homework, I’m free.” → ❌
  • Correct: “Other than my homework, I’m free.” ✅

Quick Comparison Table

Here’s a quick reference table to keep on hand:

Phrase	Correct?	Usage	Example
Other Than	✅ Yes	Exception, contrast, comparison	“Other than Sarah, no one attended.”
Other Then	❌ No	Time-related (rarely correct)	“Other then Sarah, no one attended.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can “Other Then” ever be correct?

• Rarely. Only in nonstandard or dialectal writing. Standard English always prefers other than.

Why do people confuse “Other Than vs Other Then”?

• Pronunciation similarity
• Casual writing habits
• Lack of awareness about “then” vs “than”

How can I quickly remember the right usage?

• Think comparison, choose “than”
• Think time, sequence, or result, choose “then”
• If “other” is part of the phrase, it’s almost always than.

Practical Tips for Avoiding Mistakes

• Memory Trick:
  • “Other than” = comparison/exception.
  • “Then” = time sequence.
• Read out loud:
  • If it sounds like you’re talking about time, it’s wrong.
• Use grammar tools:
  • Grammarly or Microsoft Word often flag “other then” as an error.
• Create your own checklist:
  • Always check before submitting emails, essays, or reports.
• Visual Aid:
  • Imagine a timeline for then. Anything not related to time? Use than.

Read More: Hoodie or Hoody? How to Choose the Correct Spelling

Exercises for Practice

Fill in the blanks with other than or other then:

• ________ my sister, no one knew about the surprise.
• I have no plans ________ finishing my book tonight.
• ________ him, everyone passed the test.
• The event was perfect ________ a few technical glitches.

Answers: 1. Other than 2. Other than 3. Other than 4. Other than

Conclusion:

Understanding Other Than or Other Then is all about noticing the differences in meaning and usage. By paying attention to pronunciations, context, and the purpose of your sentence, you can confidently write without errors. Practicing with examples, reading sentences aloud, and slowing down when writing helps avoid common confusion, making your English clear and natural. Once you grasp this subtle distinction, even tricky sentences become easy to handle, and those tiny mistakes by self-anointed grammar policemen won’t bother you anymore.

FAQs: Other Than or Other Then

Q1: What is the main difference between “other than” and “other then”?

A: Other than is used to show exception, like “Nothing other than hard work succeeds.” Other then is rarely correct and is sometimes mistakenly used to indicate sequence or time.

Q2: Can I ever use “other then” correctly?

A: In most cases, no. Other then is considered confusing or incorrect in standard English writing. Always prefer other than unless context clearly involves a timeline, and even then, rewording is safer.

Q3: Why do people confuse “other than” and “other then”?

A: The confusion arises because both sound similar and share spelling patterns. Many Native speakers and learners alike make this common error in writing and speech.

Q4: How can I remember which one to use?

A: Focus on the meaning: use than for comparisons or exceptions, and then for sequences. Reading sentences aloud and checking the purpose of your phrase helps you choose correctly.

Q5: Are there tips to avoid mistakes with these phrases?

A: Yes. Dissect your sentence, practice with examples, and slow down while writing. Notice pronunciations, context, and usage, and your sentences will stay clear and professional.