Then He Ran Faster Than a Cheetah

What's the difference between "then" and "than"?

"Then" is an adverb of time: "Then the elephant sneezed" can also be written, "At that moment, the elephant sneezed."

"You just try to hit me. Then I'll tell your mother." This could be written, "You just try to hit me. At that time that you hit me, I'll tell your mother." ("Then" sounds a lot better than "at that time.")

"Than" is a comparative. "Why you're a lot bigger than I thought you were."

"There's nothing I like better than chocolate cake with a mound of whipped cream."

Thank you for the question.