than

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'than' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to make a comparison, such as "Jill is taller than Nick".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No deal is better than a bad deal.

The New York Times

More than 9,000 women were involved originally, and were divided into three groups.

The Economist

But that is easier said than done.

The New York Times

"It will be broader brush than really specifics of working through things".

The Guardian

"This woman is nothing more than an attention seeker who does not deserve to be a celebrity".

The Guardian

"EE's decision on Friday is surprising in the context of a contract that has more than a year to run and leaves the board with no alternative but to seek the administrator's protection in the interests of all its stakeholders".

The Guardian - Business

"A body's function is far more intricate and important than looking 'beach ready', so in fact it is Protein World who have confused their priorities, if anyone".

The Guardian

According to the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT), the cost of a Milton Keynes season ticket has risen 23.5%, or £930, since January 2010 and is one of a number of fares that have increased around four times more than average wages over this five-year period.

The Guardian

"It is regrettable when homes need to be demolished, but Annington's decision to redevelop the estate will see an increase in the number of homes by more than 100%, from 142 to 288, and the inclusion of 20% affordable homes will see a minimum of 59 created where there were none before.

The Guardian

There is a need to lay out more clearly than ever before what being a British Muslim means today: proud of your faith and proud of your country.

The Guardian

"There is... a total lack of clarity as to how a government would proceed to unravel a relationship that has developed in complexity over more than 40 years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two items, ensure that the items being compared are grammatically parallel. For example, instead of saying "Running is better than to walk", say "Running is better than walking".

Common error

Avoid confusing "than" (used for comparisons) with "then" (used to indicate time or consequence). For example, "She is taller than her brother" (comparison) versus "If it rains, then we will stay inside" (time/consequence).

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "than" is that of a conjunction or preposition, introducing the second element in a comparison. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to establish relationships of degree or quantity between two entities, actions, or qualities. The provided examples from Ludwig demonstrate its usage in various comparative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "than" functions as a crucial conjunction and preposition for making comparisons in English. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It's essential to differentiate "than" from "then" to avoid common errors. This guide provides practical tips, related phrases, and answers to frequently asked questions to enhance your understanding and usage of "than" across various contexts, primarily within news and media, according to the examples provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more so than

Emphasizes that something is to a greater extent than something else.

rather than

Indicates a preference or choice between two options.

compared to

Introduces a direct comparison between two subjects or objects.

in comparison to

Provides a formal way to draw a comparison.

as opposed to

Highlights a contrast or opposition between two things.

in contrast with

Emphasizes the differences between two elements.

as against

Used to express opposition or competition.

beyond

Indicates something that goes further or is outside the scope of something else.

over and above

Suggests something is in addition to or more than something else.

exceeding

Implies surpassing a certain limit or quantity.

FAQs

How do I use "than" in a sentence to make a comparison?

Use "than" after a comparative adjective or adverb to introduce the second element of the comparison. For example, "She is taller "than her brother"" or "He runs faster "than she does"".

What's the difference between "than" and "then"?

"Than" is used for comparisons, while "then" indicates time or consequence. For example, "This car is cheaper "than that one"" (comparison) versus "If you finish your homework, "then you can play"" (time/consequence).

Are there alternatives to using "than" in comparisons?

Yes, you can use phrases like "compared to", "in contrast to", or "as opposed to" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "than I" or "than me"?

Both are commonly used, but "than I" is considered more grammatically formal. In casual speech, "than me" is often used, but in formal writing, "than I am" is preferred. For example, "She is taller "than I am"" is more formal "than she is taller than me".