WordGarden.iothan
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /ðˈən/
US
- /ˈðæn/
Meanings
Conjunction
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
Beyond the definition
"Than" is the word you use when you compare one thing with another. It helps show a difference: bigger, smaller, better, worse, more, or less. For example, you would say, "I am taller than you," not "I am taller then you."
People often mix it up with "then," but the jobs are different. "Then" is about time or order, while "than" is about comparison. You will often see it after words like "better," "smaller," "more," and "less." If you say you like tea more than coffee, you are using it in a very common way.
"Than" is mainly used to introduce the second part of a comparison. When you want to show that something is taller, faster, better, less common, or more useful in relation to something else, this is the word that connects the two sides. It is a small word, but it does an important job in everyday English.
You will usually see it after comparative forms. These can be adjectives and adverbs ending in "-er," such as "older," "faster," or "harder," and they can also be phrases with "more" or "less," such as "more interesting" or "less expensive." For example, "This road is narrower than the other one," and "She speaks more clearly than I expected."
It is also common in patterns about choice or preference, such as "rather than," "other than," and "more... than...." You might say, "I would rather walk than drive," or "No one other than Mia knew the answer." In these cases, it still carries the idea of contrast or selection between one thing and another.
Sometimes the comparison is literal, and sometimes it is more expressive. If someone says, "It was more luck than skill," they are not measuring with numbers, but they are still weighing one idea against another. In the same way, "He was more curious than afraid" compares feelings, not physical things.
One common mistake is confusing "than" with "then." They sound alike, but they are not used in the same way. "Then" is about time or sequence: "We ate, and then we left." "Than" is about comparison: "We left earlier than they did." That difference is the key to using the word correctly.
Examples
- 1
Apartment comparison
My apartment is smaller than my last one.
- 2
Speed comparison
She runs faster than her brother.
- 3
Expectation
This book is more interesting than I thought it would be.
- 4
Earlier completion
We finished the job sooner than expected.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Usual level
The cafe was busier than usual this morning.
- 6
Before and now
I spend more time cooking now than before.
- 7
Time amount
The whole meeting took less than ten minutes.
- 8
Cost amount
The repair cost more than $500.
- 9
Preference
I'd rather send an email than call.
- Patternwould rather X than Y
prefer X instead of Y
- 10
Exception
Other than a few minor changes, the report is ready.
- Phraseother than
except for
See also
Similar
- compared with
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- more than
- less than
- comparative adjective + than
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- thanprepositionconjunction