only than

USAGE SUMMARY

'only than' is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Rather, the phrase 'than only' is used. For example, you could say: "I'd rather have a cupcake than only an apple."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Obama's approval ratings are low – higher only than those of Congress.

The New York Times

Larger only than Australia, it is a small appendage of Eurasia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The construction sector has grown to have the second-highest energy consumption in China, smaller only than the industrial sector.

Energy and Buildings

The average attendance is 24,357, which is lower only than the Bundesliga, the Premier League and La Liga.

The Guardian - Sport

The capacity is just over 5,000 and average attendance less than 1,700, better only than Morecambe's.

The Guardian - Sport

"They're better only than Kenyan police, who flogged a member of Parliament on TV," he says, laughing even more.

The New Yorker

Women are less ambitious not only than men, she says, but also than women were 20 years ago.

The Economist

Measured by output per hour worked, French labour productivity is higher not only than in Germany but in America too.

The Economist

Out of 180 countries, Transparency International ranks it, in terms of corruption, 179th, better only than Somalia.

The New York Times

Among division rivals, the Mets have a brighter outlook only than that of the recently gutted Miami Marlins.

The New York Times - Sports

Immediately after the exercise, the participants reported lower energy levels if they positively fantasized only than if they had a mixed view of the week.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use grammatically correct comparative structures like "rather than" or "instead of" to ensure clear and effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "only than" when you intend to make a comparison. This phrase is grammatically incorrect. Replace it with correct alternatives like "rather than" or "instead of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only than" functions incorrectly as a comparative. It appears in contexts where a comparison or substitution is intended, but it does not follow standard grammatical rules. Ludwig AI notes that it is not a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only than" is frequently encountered but grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this, suggesting alternatives like "than only". While it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, its misuse undermines clear communication. Standard English offers precise comparative structures such as "rather than" or "instead of", ensuring effective expression. Therefore, avoid using "only than" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather than

This alternative correctly expresses preference or choice between two options.

instead of

This option indicates a substitution of one thing for another.

as opposed to

This choice highlights a contrast between two elements.

compared to

This alternative directly draws a comparison between two things.

more than

This version indicates a greater degree or quantity.

less than

This variant indicates a smaller degree or quantity.

other than

This selection indicates something is excluded or different.

apart from

This option specifies an exception.

but not

This phrasing denotes something that doesn't happen or exist.

solely to

This conveys the purpose or reason for an action is exclusively one thing.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express comparison instead of "only than"?

Instead of "only than", use phrases like "rather than", "instead of", or "as opposed to" to make accurate comparisons.

Is "only than" grammatically correct?

No, "only than" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Standard English uses other comparative structures.

What are some alternatives to "only than"?

Consider using alternatives such as "more than", "less than", or "other than" depending on your intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "only than"?

It's generally not appropriate to use "only than" in formal or academic writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives in all contexts.