More than or More then: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-12 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: When you ask yourself whether to use more than or more then, the answer is always more than for comparisons. The word than connects two things being compared, whereas then refers to time or a sequence of events. Using more then is a common error that happens because the words sound identical.

The Short Answer

More than is the correct spelling for comparing quantities or amounts. This phrasing works whenever you are saying something exceeds a specific level or number.

People often mix these up because the words sound exactly the same when spoken. This confusion is common because then is a very familiar word used for time, leading writers to incorrectly apply it to comparisons instead.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
more than	correct	comparing quantities or amounts
more then	incorrect	never use this form for comparisons
than	part of speech	conjunctions introducing comparisons
then	part of speech	words indicating time or sequence

Correct Example Sentences

She has more than enough time to finish the project.
The test score was higher than I expected.
We have more than three apples in the basket.
The book is more than just a story about adventure.
He works more than sixteen hours every single day.
This solution is more than what we originally planned.
The price is more than the budget allowed us to spend.
She has more than one reason to stay home today.
The crowd grew to more than five hundred people.
My patience is more than what the situation required.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

This task takes more then an hour.: This task takes more than an hour.
She has more then enough time to finish.: She has more than enough time to finish.
The team scored more then double the points.: The team scored more than double the points.
He earned more then he ever did before.: He earned more than he ever did before.
You need more then patience for this job.: You need more than patience for this job.
The box weighs more then five pounds.: The box weighs more than five pounds.
She asked for more then what was offered.: She asked for more than what was offered.
The river runs more then a mile wide.: The river runs more than a mile wide.
I have more then my fair share of work.: I have more than my fair share of work.

A Quick Test You Can Use

To choose the right word, simply ask yourself what the sentence is describing. If the sentence is talking about a specific time or sequence of events, use then. However, if the sentence is comparing amounts, quantities, or degrees, you must always use than.

Related Word Pairs

their vs there vs they're: Use their for possession, there for a place, and they're for the contraction of they are.
its vs it's: Use its for possession and it's for the contraction of it is.
your vs you're: Use your for possession and you're for the contraction of you are.
accept vs except: Use accept to mean receiving something and except to mean excluding something.
principal vs principle: Use principal for a main thing or a person in charge and principle for a rule or belief.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use more then in any sentence?

No, you cannot use more then in any sentence. This spelling is a mistake because then refers to time, while you need the comparative conjunction than to link the items being compared in your statement.

Why do so many people make this error?

People make this error because the words sound identical when spoken aloud. This phonetic similarity makes it very easy to slip up, especially when typing quickly without proofreading the final written text carefully.

How do I remember which word to pick?

You can remember the correct choice by focusing on the meaning of the sentence. If you are comparing two things or measuring an amount, choose than. If you are discussing a schedule or timeline, choose then.

Is more then ever acceptable?

The spelling more then is never acceptable in standard English. Even in informal writing or casual conversation, using more then instead of more than is considered an error that should be avoided.