than those that

USAGE SUMMARY

"than those that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to compare two or more things. For example: "This car is more expensive than those that are being sold at the used car lot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

tutelage than those that grew the slowest.

The New York Times

These standards are far weaker than those that currently exist".

The Guardian

The reaction was more restrained than those that followed two of the three increases last year.

The New York Times

It would operate to maintain inequalities, but no more than those that could be rationally justified.

The Guardian - Opinion

Historically, first debates between presidential contenders have been more important than those that followed.

The New York Times

Online captions are often more straightforward than those that appear in print.

The Guardian - Opinion

They used solar and volcanic variations much larger than those that actually occurred since 1979.

The Guardian

Their faces are far younger than those that appear in public service advertisements about domestic violence.

The New York Times

Indeed, successful education systems do better than those that have expanded school choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

She admits that black audiences react differently to this than those that are predominately white.

The Guardian

Companies and countries that enable that will thrive more than those that don't.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "than those that", ensure that the noun being compared is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "These apples are better than those that are on the table", specify: "These apples are better than the apples that are on the table".

Common error

Avoid using "than those who" when referring to inanimate objects. "Those" refers to people. For inanimate objects, use "than those that" or "than those which".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "than those that" functions as a comparative connector, linking two elements for comparison. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as correct and suitable for comparing items or concepts, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "than those that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative connector. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for comparisons. It is most commonly found in news articles and scientific writing, serving to highlight differences between items or concepts. While it can be replaced with alternatives like "compared to what" or "rather than what", "than those that" offers a specific and clear means of comparison. When using this phrase, ensure pronoun agreement and clarity in what you are comparing to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more so than what

Intensifies the comparison, emphasizing a greater degree.

compared to what

Focuses more directly on the comparison, omitting the specific 'those'.

rather than what

Suggests a preference, introducing something less desirable.

to a greater extent than what

More formal and elaborate way of saying "more so than what".

as opposed to what

Highlights a contrast or opposition rather than a simple comparison.

in contrast to what

Similar to "as opposed to what", emphasizing the difference.

not as much as what

Expresses a lesser degree, the opposite of "more so than what".

instead of what

Focuses on substitution rather than comparison.

unlike what

Similar to "different from what", but more direct in stating the dissimilarity.

different from what

Focuses on difference, lacking the specific comparative element.

FAQs

How can I use "than those that" in a sentence?

The phrase "than those that" is used for comparisons. For example: "Modern cars are safer "than those that" were made decades ago."

What are some alternatives to "than those that"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "compared to what", "as opposed to what", or "rather than what" as alternatives to "than those that".

Is it correct to say "than those who" instead of "than those that"?

The choice depends on what you're comparing. Use "than those who" when referring to people and "than those that" for objects or concepts.

What's the difference between "than those that" and "than what"?

"Than those that" is more specific, referring to particular items within a group. "Than what" is more general and can refer to an overall concept or standard.