Growing up as a non-native English speaker, I often confused similar-looking and sounding words. Making my sentences incomprehensible.
And that’s how I learnt the importance of using the right words. The right terms in the right context can help in effectively communicating your thoughts.
So, you should always ensure you are using the correct word in your conversation.
Among the many confusing phrases, my brain always replaced the spelling of “Other than” with “Other then”. Hence, creating confusion in my writings.
Even now, there are many people who make mistakes with the usage of these phrases because of their similar pronunciation and tone.
However, a tiny alteration in the spelling can take away the meaning of your words. So, it is important to know the right usage for better communication.
If you are also confused between which one to use — “Other then” or “Other than” — I have got you covered. In this article, you will find everything about the two phrases.
From delving into their meanings to their correct usage, I have brought you the complete guide. So, why wait, little Shakespeare? Jump straight into it!
Other Then Or Other Than: Which Is The Correct Usage?
Grammatically, the correct term is “Other than”. And “Other then” is just a misspelled version of the right one. So, you should use “Other than” in your sentences.
Moreover, “Other then” is incorrect as “then” refers to a specific period of time. And, putting it next to “other” makes no comprehensible meaning of any kind.
However, when “than” is placed next to “other,” it refers to a comparison between two separate things or persons. So, it makes sense when used in a sentence.
Why Is There Confusion Between The Two Phrases?
If you are wondering why there is confusion between the two phrases — “Other then” and “Other than” — that’s because they sound similar.
Moreover, both “then” and “than” are grammatical homophones. That means they share similar pronunciation tones and often sound the same.
Even though they have different spellings and meanings, because of their similar pronunciation, they cause confusion.
Key Differences Between “Other Then” And “Other Than”
To better understand how the two phrases are not the same, here are the key differences between “Other then” and “Other than”.
| Other Then | Other Than |
|---|---|
| Incorrect spelling. | Correct spelling. |
| No meaning. | It is used to focus on one thing by setting the rest of the things aside. |
| Example: No usage. | Example: I don’t buy any clothes other than cotton dresses. |
How To Use “Other Than” In The Correct Sense?
Given that “Other then” is grammatically incorrect, let’s look into the correct usage of the term “Other than”.
What Is The Meaning?
Firstly, to understand the meaning of the phrase “Other than”, you need to have a clear idea about the meaning of the separate words. So, let’s look into the separate words — “other” and “than”.
The word “other” is used to refer to something that is different from the rest of the things. It can be used as an adjective, adverb, or even a noun in a sentence.
Moreover, the word “than” is a conjunction that is used to compare two different things or individuals.
So, when you combine the words, the phrase “Other than” refers to focusing on or separating something from the rest of the items or individuals.
You can often use the phrase in a comparative sense.
When To Use?
To ensure you are correctly using the phrase “Other than”, you need to know when and how to use it in the sentences.
Firstly, it can be used to focus or fixate the attention on something or someone, while keeping the rest aside. So, you can use it to bring attention to some concept.
Secondly, you can use the phrase to compare something that happened with something that was not meant to happen. You can use “Other than” during these situations.
Finally, the phrase can be used to explicitly state that one option is available instead of the rest. So, you can use it to explicitly show the comparisons.
Examples Of Using “Other Than” In Sentences
To better understand how to use the phrase “Other than”, here are some examples of it in sentences.
- Is there anyone other than Martha to help with the work?
- I don’t want to have food from anywhere other than McDonald’s.
- She doesn’t want to eat anything other than the cake.
- Other than the emergency hospital visits, I am pretty much available.
- I am okay with staying anywhere other than that haunted place.
- Please show me something other than the SUV models.
- The company doesn’t hire anyone other than top professionals.
- We have travelled to every theme park other than the Disney one.
- Other than the occasional grammatical mistakes, the writer didn’t check anything else.
- You are the only person other than John to wish me on my birthday.
Tips To Avoid Making Common Mistakes With Similar Phrases
Now that you have a clear understanding of whether to use “Other then” or “Other than”, you can avoid making common mistakes.
However, to ensure that you prevent making such mistakes with other similar-sounding phrases or words, I have some bonus tips for you. Follow them to sound like a pro.
Firstly, learn about the different homophones in English. When you are aware of them, you can prevent making mistakes.
Secondly, you should try to understand the exact meaning of two similar-sounding words or phrases. With the exact meaning, you can avoid using the wrong one.
Finally, keep reading books to have a practical idea about how certain phrases and words are spelled. So, no more spelling mistakes with same-same terms.
By following these tips, you can improve your English instantly. So, go on and try using the correct phrase in your conversation without misspelling the words.
LEARN MORE:
- Journies Or Journey: Which Is The Correct Spelling?
- Related To Or With: Which One Should You Use Correctly?
- Me Either Or Me Neither: Which One Should You Use To Agree With Negative Statements?
