so than that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so than that" is not correct in English and is not usable in written English.
It seems to be a confusion of comparative structures and does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "I want to achieve more so than that I can improve my skills."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is less so than that advocated by four disinterested amici curiae.

The New York Times

Attention to detail was impressive, less so than that paid to the storyline.

The Guardian - Film

First, its demography is dynamic — much more so than that of any European country, including Ireland.

The New York Times

He has ever since discovering its reliability as an indicator of team success — even more so than that bastion of coach-speak, winning the turnover battle.

The New York Times - Sports

Graeme Swann has been a revelation and has taken valuable wickets, none more so than that of Ricky Ponting at Edgbaston.

The Guardian - Sport

Even more so than that time you fought the giant ostriches wearing a hat containing ostrich food on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

The Guardian - Music

Adolescence, at any time and in any place, is an unsettling business; its very name is repellent — only slightly less so than that of its kid sibling, Pubescence.

The New Yorker

In a sense, she's been keeping the darkness of the world from extending its territory, which is a signal act of defiance, perhaps more so than that of many "protest" poems.

Stanford University

+ The online 'news diet' of Russian bloggers is more independent, international, and oppositional than that of Russian Internet users overall, and far more so than that of non-Internet users, who are more reliant upon state-controlled federal TV channels.

Harvard University

The Garden instead opted to weather three weeks of frequently sordid testimony, none more so than that of Stephon Marbury's sexual tryst in his truck with a team intern.

The New York Times - Sports

A postpresidency is of great historical interest, none more so than that of Theodore Roosevelt, whose struggle with life out of the limelight was part of Ms. Felsenthal's inspiration for "Clinton in Exile".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "so than that" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "more than" or "rather than".

Common error

A common mistake is to blend comparative structures incorrectly. For instance, instead of saying "more so than that", ensure you are using the correct comparative form with "than". Therefore using "more than" is better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so than that" appears within comparative constructions, attempting to express a degree or extent. However, Ludwig AI analysis indicates this phrase is not grammatically correct and often results from combining comparative structures inappropriately. While examples exist, they do not validate the phrase as standard usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "so than that" appears in various sources, Ludwig analysis confirms it is grammatically incorrect. The intended purpose is to express comparison, but this is hindered by its non-standard structure. It's crucial to use grammatically correct alternatives like "more than" or "rather than", especially in formal contexts. While it may surface in informal settings, strive for precision in your writing and avoid this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than that

This alternative is a closer alternative to the query, but more gramatically correct.

more than

This is a standard and direct way to express a higher degree of something.

more so

This phrase emphasizes a greater extent or degree.

to a greater extent than

This phrase elaborates on the degree of difference.

rather than

This phrase indicates a preference or alternative.

instead of

This phrase offers a replacement or substitution.

as opposed to

This phrase highlights a contrast between two options.

in comparison to

This phrase sets up a direct comparison.

by comparison with

This is a formal phrase used to make comparisons.

when compared with

This phrase introduces a comparative perspective.

FAQs

Is "so than that" grammatically correct?

No, "so than that" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's often a result of miscombining comparative structures. Consider using alternatives like "more than" or "rather than".

What are some alternatives to "so than that"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "so than that" with "more than", "rather than", "instead of", or "as opposed to". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

How can I avoid using "so than that" in my writing?

Pay close attention to comparative structures. Ensure you're using the correct form (e.g., "more X than Y") and avoid blending different structures together. Review your sentences carefully to catch and correct this error.

Which phrase is better: "more so than that" or "more than that"?

"More than that" is generally preferred because it's more grammatically sound and widely accepted. Although "more so than" is correct, "more than that" is more concise and commonly used.