Then vs Than Worksheet | Grade 3 Essential Grammar

This Grade 3 grammar worksheet helps students master the frequently confused homophones then and than. By providing clear definitions and immediate application, students learn to use than for comparisons and then for chronological sequences. This resource ensures students can communicate clearly in their writing by eliminating common usage errors.

At a Glance

• Grade: 3 · Subject: ELA Grammar
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing
• Skill Focus: Confusing words (Then vs. Than)
• Format: 2 pages · 12 problems · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: Independent practice or homework reinforcement
• Time: 15–20 minutes

What's Inside: This two-page PDF includes a dedicated "Quick Rules" reference box that defines both terms with illustrative examples. The worksheet features 10 fill-in-the-blank sentences that challenge students to identify the correct word based on context, followed by two open-ended writing prompts. A comprehensive answer key is provided to facilitate quick grading or student self-correction.

Skill Progression

• Guided Practice: The worksheet begins with a visual anchor chart style box, providing 4 clear examples that serve as a model for the subsequent tasks.
• Supported Practice: Students complete 10 cloze-style sentences where they must choose between the two target words, applying the rules to varied sentence structures.
• Independent Practice: The final section requires students to generate two original sentences from scratch, demonstrating true mastery of the comparison and time-sequence concepts.

This structure follows a gradual-release model, moving from recognition to application and finally to independent creation.

Standards Alignment

This resource aligns with `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1`, which requires students to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage. Specifically, it addresses the nuance of word choice in functional writing. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

How to Use It

Use this worksheet as a formative assessment following a mini-lesson on homophones. It is particularly effective during the "independent work" portion of a literacy block. Teachers should observe if students are looking back at the "Quick Rules" box; frequent referencing suggests the student is still in the acquisition phase, while rapid completion indicates mastery. Expect a completion time of 15 to 20 minutes.

Who It's For

This practice is designed for 2nd and 3rd-grade students, but it also serves as an excellent remedial tool for older students or English Language Learners (ELL) who struggle with English word nuances. It pairs naturally with a mentor text focused on sequencing or a comparative writing unit.

According to Fisher & Frey (2014), the use of scaffolds like the "Quick Rules" box in this worksheet is vital for developing linguistic competence in young writers. By isolating the specific confusion between then and than, the resource reduces cognitive load, allowing students to focus entirely on the semantic difference between comparison and time. Research from the NAEP consistently shows that mastery of high-frequency grammar conventions is a significant predictor of overall writing proficiency in the elementary years. This worksheet provides the 12 targeted repetitions necessary to move these specific word choices from short-term memory into long-term application. By integrating both recognition and production tasks, the resource ensures that the standard CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1 is met through active engagement rather than passive reading, fostering a more durable understanding of standard English usage.