Use 'than' to compare two things, typically after a word ending in '-er' or words like 'more' or 'less'.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Used to compare two things.
- Follows comparative adjectives/adverbs.
- Shows difference or degree.
**Overview**
'Than' is a fundamental word in English used to make comparisons. It signals that you are about to present the item or quality against which another item or quality is being measured. It's essential for expressing differences and relative degrees.
**Usage Patterns**
'Than' typically follows a comparative adjective or adverb (e.g., bigger, faster, more, less). The structure is usually: [Thing 1] + [Comparative Adjective/Adverb] + 'than' + [Thing 2]. For example, 'My car is faster than yours.' It can also be used with phrases indicating preference, like 'would rather... than'.
**Common Contexts**
You'll encounter 'than' in everyday conversations when discussing preferences, making judgments, or stating facts about differences. Examples include comparing prices ('This is more expensive than that'), speeds ('He runs faster than me'), or opinions ('I think this is better than the other option'). It's common in both spoken and written English across various informal and formal settings.
**Similar Words Comparison**
The most common confusion is with 'then'. 'Than' is used for comparisons, while 'then' usually refers to time ('First we'll eat, then we'll go') or consequence ('If you finish your homework, then you can play'). Another related word is 'as', which is used in comparisons of equality ('He is as tall as his brother'), unlike 'than' which is used for inequality.
Exemples
This book is more interesting than the movie.
everydayEste libro es más interesante que la película.
He finished the race faster than anyone else.
sportsTerminó la carrera más rápido que nadie más.
I'd rather have a quiet night in than go to a loud party.
informalPreferiría tener una noche tranquila en casa que ir a una fiesta ruidosa.
The data suggests that this method is less effective than the previous one.
academicLos datos sugieren que este método es menos efectivo que el anterior.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
more than enough
más que suficiente
no sooner than
tan pronto como
rather than
en lugar de
Souvent confondu avec
'Than' is used for comparisons, indicating a difference or degree between two things (e.g., 'He is taller than me'). 'Then' relates to time or sequence, indicating what happens next (e.g., 'We ate, then we left').
Modèles grammaticaux
How to Use It
Notes d'usage
The word 'than' is a standard conjunction used in comparisons. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. Ensure it is used only when comparing two distinct items or ideas.
Erreurs courantes
A very common mistake is confusing 'than' with 'then'. Remember that 'than' is for comparisons, and 'then' is for time. Another error is omitting 'than' when a comparison is clearly intended.
Tips
Remember: Comparison means 'than'.
Think of 'than' as the signal word for comparison. If you are showing how one thing is different from another in size, speed, quality, etc., you likely need 'than'.
Don't confuse with 'then'.
Always double-check if you mean comparison ('than') or time/sequence ('then'). Mixing them up can change the meaning of your sentence.
Expressing preference.
In English-speaking cultures, 'than' is frequently used to express personal preferences, like 'I prefer tea than coffee' (though 'to' is more grammatically standard with 'prefer'). It's a key part of everyday social interaction.
Origine du mot
The word 'than' comes from Old English 'thonne' or 'thanne', meaning 'at that time' or 'when'. Over time, its meaning evolved specifically to denote comparison.
Contexte culturel
Comparisons are a basic part of human interaction and learning. 'Than' facilitates this by allowing speakers to articulate differences, preferences, and rankings, which are common in everyday social exchanges and decision-making.
Astuce mémo
Think of 'than' as the word you use when you are showing how one thing is 'over' or 'above' another in some quality. It's the 'comparison' word.
Questions fréquentes
4 questions'Than' is used for comparisons (e.g., 'He is taller than me'). 'Then' refers to time or sequence (e.g., 'First we eat, then we sleep').
While less common, 'than' can sometimes start a sentence, especially in informal contexts or when emphasizing the comparison. For example, 'Than this, nothing could be better.'
Typically, comparative adjectives (like 'bigger', 'smaller', 'faster') or comparative adverbs (like 'more quickly', 'less often') precede 'than'.
Yes, 'than' is commonly used in both formal and informal writing whenever a comparison is needed. Its usage is standard across different registers.
Teste-toi
My new phone is much better ______ my old one.
'Than' is used here to make a comparison between the new phone and the old one.
Which sentence is correct?
The sentence compares arrival times, so the conjunction 'than' is required.
Arrange: faster / is / The / train / bus / the / than
This sentence correctly uses the comparative 'faster' followed by 'than' to compare the speed of the train and the bus.
Score : /3
Summary
Use 'than' to compare two things, typically after a word ending in '-er' or words like 'more' or 'less'.
- Used to compare two things.
- Follows comparative adjectives/adverbs.
- Shows difference or degree.
Remember: Comparison means 'than'.
Think of 'than' as the signal word for comparison. If you are showing how one thing is different from another in size, speed, quality, etc., you likely need 'than'.
Don't confuse with 'then'.
Always double-check if you mean comparison ('than') or time/sequence ('then'). Mixing them up can change the meaning of your sentence.
Expressing preference.
In English-speaking cultures, 'than' is frequently used to express personal preferences, like 'I prefer tea than coffee' (though 'to' is more grammatically standard with 'prefer'). It's a key part of everyday social interaction.
Exemples
4 sur 4This book is more interesting than the movie.
Este libro es más interesante que la película.
He finished the race faster than anyone else.
Terminó la carrera más rápido que nadie más.
I'd rather have a quiet night in than go to a loud party.
Preferiría tener una noche tranquila en casa que ir a una fiesta ruidosa.
The data suggests that this method is less effective than the previous one.
Los datos sugieren que este método es menos efectivo que el anterior.
Related Content
Apprendre en contexte
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
Vocabulaire associé
Plus de mots sur general
about
A1'About' signifie 'à propos de' quand on parle d'un sujet, ou 'environ' pour une quantité.
above
A2Indique une position plus haute que quelque chose d'autre, juste au-dessus.
accident
A2Un événement imprévu qui cause du tort ou des blessures.
action
A2C'est le fait de faire quelque chose pour atteindre un but.
after
A2'After' veut dire 'après', quelque chose qui arrive plus tard dans le temps ou dans l'espace.
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2'Again' veut dire 'encore', que quelque chose se produit une deuxième fois ou plus.
aged
B1Cela précise l'âge d'une personne ou d'un objet.
alive
A2Quelque chose qui est en vie, qui n'est pas mort.
all
A2'All' désigne la totalité de quelque chose, chaque élément sans exception.
