JrOldPhart's Journal: Then vs Than, damnit! (Grammar Nazi)

Learn to use then and than. They are not equal!

1. I would rather eat ice cream then get poked in the eye by a sharp stick.
2. I would rather eat ice cream than get poked in the eye by a sharp stick.

Two totally different meanings:
1. You say that you prefer to eat ice cream and get poked in the eye with a sharp stick.
2. You say that you prefer to eat ice cream instead of getting poked in the eye with a sharp stick.

So now do you see why you look like an idiot if you don't know which word to use?

then ~ next
than ~ instead