than definition - Dictionary

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than

than [ stressed an, unstressed ən ] CORE MEANING: used after a comparative adjective or adverb in order to introduce the second element of a comparison

(prep) paying more than $490 a year in fees

(prep) The hole was no deeper than 12 ft.

(conj) The risk may be higher than the figures indicate.

Definition:

1. conj stating preference: used to introduce a rejected alternative in a contrast between two alternatives, in order to state a preference

more a state of mind than a physical condition

2. conj U.S. when: used especially after inverted constructions to say when something happened

Barely had she opened the door than the phone started to ring.

3. preposition compared to: in contrast with or in preference to ( informal )

I'm older than him.

[ Old English þanne, þonne, þænne, þan< Germanic]

Word Usage


	Than (a conjunction and a preposition) and then (an adverb and an adjective) are used differently and have different meanings even though they may sound similar when pronounced. Do not use than when then is called for, as in: If the meal is ready, then [not than] you should sit at the table.She was the then-president [not than-president] of the society. Conversely, do not use then when than is called for, as in: The hole was no deeper than [not then] 12 feet.

Word Usage


	than he or than him? Because than is a preposition as well as a conjunction, either construction is possible, as is the fuller form than he is. The form than him is common in conversation and other spoken contexts (We're older than him) but is still frowned upon in formal writing where We're older than he is is preferred.