Explanation at your level:
You use than to compare things. For example: 'My cat is bigger than your dog.' It helps people understand which one is more or less of something.
When you want to say one thing is different from another, use than. 'I am taller than my brother.' It is used after words ending in -er, like faster, slower, or bigger.
Than is used to introduce the second part of a comparison. We use it with comparative adjectives (e.g., 'more expensive than'). Remember that we also use it with 'less' to show something is lower in degree.
In B2 English, you will notice than used in more complex structures, such as 'more than I expected' or 'better than it was before.' It is essential for expressing nuanced degrees of difference in professional or academic writing.
At the C1 level, than is used in sophisticated comparative constructions, including inverted structures like 'no sooner had he arrived than the phone rang.' It functions as a precise tool for logical clarity in complex arguments.
Mastering than involves understanding its historical link to 'then' and its role in elliptical constructions. In high-level literary or academic prose, it serves to define the exact parameters of comparison, often used to contrast abstract concepts or philosophical arguments with absolute precision.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used for comparisons.
- Always follows comparative words.
- Do not confuse with 'then'.
- Essential for English fluency.
When you are comparing two things, than is your best friend! It acts as a bridge between the two items you are measuring against each other. Whether you are talking about height, speed, or quality, this little word helps clarify exactly where one thing stands in relation to another.
Think of it as a comparison marker. You wouldn't say 'He is faster he,' because that doesn't make sense. By adding than, you create a clear, logical link: 'He is faster than me.' It is one of the most common words in English, used in almost every conversation involving preferences or measurements.
The word than has deep roots in Old English, originating from the word thanne or thonne. Interestingly, it shares a common ancestor with the word then. Back in the day, these two words were actually used interchangeably in many dialects!
Over centuries, the English language began to separate their functions. Then took on the role of time (like 'what happens next'), while than became strictly associated with comparisons. This evolution shows how English speakers naturally organized their vocabulary to make communication more precise and less confusing over time.
You will almost always find than hanging out with comparative adjectives. Think of pairs like bigger than, faster than, more beautiful than, or less expensive than. It is a workhorse word that appears in both casual chats and formal academic papers.
In casual speech, people often use object pronouns after than, such as 'He is taller than me.' In very formal or written English, some people prefer subject pronouns like 'He is taller than I (am).' Both are widely understood, but knowing the context helps you choose the right one for your audience.
1. More than meets the eye: Something is more complex or interesting than it first appears. Example: This situation is more than meets the eye.
2. Better than nothing: Something is not perfect, but it is better than having nothing at all. Example: Getting a small discount is better than nothing.
3. More than happy: Very willing to do something. Example: I would be more than happy to help you.
4. Sooner rather than later: As soon as possible. Example: We should fix this sooner rather than later.
5. More than likely: Very probable. Example: It is more than likely going to rain today.
Grammatically, than is a conjunction that introduces a clause or a phrase of comparison. Pronunciation-wise, it is a short, voiced sound: /ðæn/. It rhymes with pan, fan, man, ran, and can.
A common stress pattern is to keep it unstressed in a sentence, allowing the comparative adjective to take the focus. For instance, in 'She is taller than him,' the emphasis is on 'taller,' while 'than' flows quickly as a bridge.
Fun Fact
It was once the exact same word as 'then'.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'a' sound, voiced 'th'.
Slightly more open 'a' sound.
Common Errors
- Confusing with 'then'
- Mispronouncing the 'th'
- Over-emphasizing the word
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy
Very easy
Very easy
Very easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Comparatives
taller than
Quantifiers
more than
Conjunctions
than
Examples by Level
She is taller than me.
Taller comparison
Comparative adjective
This apple is bigger than that one.
Size comparison
Comparative adjective
I am older than him.
Age comparison
Comparative adjective
It is colder than yesterday.
Weather comparison
Comparative adjective
He runs faster than me.
Speed comparison
Comparative adverb
This book is better than the movie.
Quality comparison
Irregular comparative
Cats are quieter than dogs.
Behavior comparison
Plural comparison
I have more than you.
Quantity comparison
Quantifier
The car is cheaper than the truck.
She is more careful than her brother.
This house is smaller than mine.
I like tea more than coffee.
He is smarter than he looks.
The test was easier than I thought.
They arrived earlier than us.
It is worse than I expected.
She is more talented than most people.
The city is busier than it used to be.
He works harder than anyone else.
The result was better than anticipated.
It is less expensive than the other model.
They are more prepared than last time.
That is more than I can afford.
Life is more complex than it seems.
The situation is far more serious than we realized.
He is more of a friend than a colleague.
It is better to give than to receive.
The benefits are greater than the risks.
She is more than capable of doing it.
Nothing is more important than health.
It was more than just a simple mistake.
The reality is quite different than the theory.
No sooner had he left than the rain started.
The outcome was less than ideal.
He is more than willing to compromise.
It is more than a mere coincidence.
The project is more than halfway done.
There is more to life than work.
The cost is higher than initially projected.
It is more than likely that he forgot.
The evidence is more than sufficient to convict.
He is more than a match for his opponent.
The solution is more than a temporary fix.
It is more than a question of money.
The impact is more than just economic.
It is more than a matter of opinion.
The change is more than cosmetic.
The truth is more than what we see.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"more than meets the eye"
hidden complexity
The case has more than meets the eye.
neutral"better than nothing"
at least something is present
A small raise is better than nothing.
casual"more than happy"
very willing
I am more than happy to join you.
neutral"sooner rather than later"
as soon as possible
We must act sooner rather than later.
neutral"more than likely"
very probable
It is more than likely to succeed.
neutral"more than a match for"
equally or more capable
She is more than a match for him.
neutralEasily Confused
similar spelling
then=time, than=comparison
I ate then (time) I left. He is taller than (comparison) me.
similar sound
that is a demonstrative
That is my book.
archaic similarity
thence means from there
He went thence.
shared 'th'
there is a location
Look over there.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + verb + comparative adjective + than + object
She is faster than him.
More + noun + than + noun
I have more money than him.
Less + adjective + than
It is less expensive than that.
No sooner + had + subject + than
No sooner had I arrived than it rained.
More + than + expected/anticipated
It was more than expected.
Word Family
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Then refers to time, Than is for comparison.
Do not use 'more' with -er words.
In formal English, 'different from' is preferred.
Than me is casual; Than I is formal.
Commonly misused, but 'than me' is standard in speech.
Tips
The A-E Trick
ThAn has an 'A' for compArison. ThEn has an 'E' for timE.
The Comparison Test
If you are measuring, use than.
Common Usage
You will hear it in every English conversation.
Adjective Rule
Always pair 'than' with -er adjectives.
Soft Th
Make sure to voice the 'th' sound.
Stop saying 'more better'
Use 'better' alone.
Shared Roots
It used to be the same word as then!
Sentence Building
Practice with 'I am [adj] than [name]'.
Writing Practice
Write a comparison of two cities.
Reading Check
Circle every 'than' you see in a book.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
ThAn = A for Comparison
Visual Association
A scale weighing two things
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences comparing your favorite foods.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: then/at that time
Cultural Context
None
Used universally in all English-speaking regions.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Shopping
- This is cheaper than that
- I want something better than this
- Is this more than the other?
School/Work
- The results are better than last time
- This is more than I can handle
- Work harder than before
Travel
- The hotel is further than the station
- This city is busier than my hometown
- It is more expensive than I thought
Daily Life
- I like this more than that
- It is easier than it looks
- Better than nothing
Conversation Starters
"Do you think life is better now than in the past?"
"Is it better to travel by train than by plane?"
"Are you more of a morning person than a night owl?"
"Is it harder to learn English than your native language?"
"Do you prefer working in a team than working alone?"
Journal Prompts
Compare your life today to five years ago.
Why is it better to be kind than to be right?
Describe a time something was more difficult than you expected.
What is more important than money to you?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUse 'than' for comparisons and 'then' for time.
Usually it follows adjectives or adverbs.
Yes, in modern English it is widely accepted.
It is common in American English, though 'different from' is more traditional.
No, it is a functional word.
Rarely, usually in specific poetic or inverted structures.
Yes, 'greater than' and 'less than' are standard terms.
No, it stays the same.
Test Yourself
She is taller ___ me.
Than is used for comparison.
Which is correct?
Bigger than is the correct comparative form.
We use 'than' to talk about time.
'Then' is used for time.
Word
Meaning
These are standard comparative phrases.
It is better than I expected.
Score: /5
Summary
Than is the essential bridge word used to compare two things in English.
- Used for comparisons.
- Always follows comparative words.
- Do not confuse with 'then'.
- Essential for English fluency.
The A-E Trick
ThAn has an 'A' for compArison. ThEn has an 'E' for timE.
The Comparison Test
If you are measuring, use than.
Common Usage
You will hear it in every English conversation.
Adjective Rule
Always pair 'than' with -er adjectives.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
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에 대한
A2Concerning or relating to; about, regarding.
~대하여
A2About, concerning, regarding.
대해서
A2Concerning or with regard to; about, regarding.
에 대해
A2About; regarding.
풍요롭다
A2To be abundant, prosperous, or rich.
관철하다
B2To carry through, achieve, or persist in one's will or goal until it is accomplished, despite difficulties.
~에 따라
B1According to, depending on; as stated by or determined by.
에 따라
A2According to; in accordance with.
에 의하면
B1According to; as stated by or reported by.
회계사
A2Accountant; a person whose job is to keep financial accounts.
