don't think than is even a word. I am probably wrong and will be corrected by pro ABers. Two different words, look them up, no rules I rather eat apples than pears I rather stay home then work

'Then' referes to a time, "I will do it then" 'Than' referes to an amount "Hes got more points than me"

Confusing these two words is very common. Many educated people do it and it makes their writing look weak. As Rince stated, "then" refers to time, specifically a point in time that is not 'now'. Hence, we have the expression 'now and then'. It can be a point either in the past of the future. "Columbus sailed to America; then he returned to Europe." "I will come home in an hour; then we can talk." "Than" links two things that are being compared. "I have more than half my homework finished" compares what i have finished to half. Usually, if a sentence contains comparatives (more, less, bigger, smaller, etc and two items, you will want to follow the comparative with 'than'. Note these two sentences. I would rather go fishing than do my homework. (I prefer[want more-a comparative] fishing to homework.) I would rather go fishing, then do my homework. (I want to fish first and later [a point in time not now]do my homework. Yes, buzz, there's the correction. I'm sure you'll do the same for me someday. Rince also deserves some correction. His sample sentence should read "He's got more points than I". If you want to know why that's true, just ask. If this is clearer than it was before, then i've done some good.

1) "Than is a conjunction or preposition used in unequal comparisons; then is (usually) an adverb indicating time or consequence. Be careful not to confuse them: something is bigger than something else; something happens then." Source: http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/t.html 2) "Than is a conjunction used in comparisons: Tom is smarter than Bill. This is more important than you might think. Is she taller than you? Yes, she is taller than I. Technically, you should use the subject pronoun after than (e.g., I), as opposed to the object pronoun (me). However, English speakers commonly use the object pronoun." "Then has numerous meanings. 1. At that point in time I wasn't ready then. Will you be home at noon? I'll call you then. 2. Next, afterward I went to the store, and then to the bank Do your homework and then go to bed 3. In addition, also, on top of that He told me he was leaving, and then that I owed him money It cost $5,000, and then there's tax too 4. In that case, therefore (often with "if") If you want to go, then you'll have to finish your homework. I'm hungry! Then you should eat." "Than is used only in comparisons, so if you're comparing something use than. If not, then you have to use then. What could be easier than that?" Source: http://www.elearnenglishlanguage.com/difficulties/thanthen.html 3) "- Then is for chronography (time). Back then I was a waiter. What happened then was… Then came this wierd-looking guy. - Then is also for a condition. If you like tennis, then this sport is for you! Then leave if you don’t like it. No: duck, then cover. - Than is for comparison only. I am taller than she is. Can there be misery loftier than mine? Faster than a speeding bullet. " Source: http://www.desiquintans.com/articles.php?page=then-than 4) "The Most Common Usages Than: a comparison Then: a description of time" For a more detailed explanation, see the definitions and comments on this page: http://hubpages.com/hub/Grammar_Mishaps__Then_vs_Than