than

Everyday

1. Than is used when you compare two things: «taller than», «more than». tree →
2. Than also comes after «rather» and «other»: «rather walk than ride», «anyone other than Ben». tree →
3. «No sooner … than» means just after: «No sooner had we left than it rained». tree →
4. (casual) People often say «than me» rather than «than I»: «He's taller than me». tree →
5. (formal) Exams say «in excess of», «exceeding», «less than or equal to», «fewer than» and «other than» in long comparisons. tree →
6. Than can also mean only, as in "no more than five pence". tree →

In the lessons

in «more … than», «fewer … than», «older … than», «less than», «bigger than»; in maths it marks a comparison; the signs > and < are read «greater than» and «less than»; in casual talk «more than ever», «better than nothing», «way more than», «heaps more than»; in rough talk «you're dumber than a box of rocks» (a put-down); in the exam voice «exceeds by», «is in excess of», «is not less than» (≥), «is not more than» (≤)

Examples

• How many more books does Tom have than Ben? tree →
• Max has 2 fewer books than Lily. tree →
• Anna is 3 years older than Tom. tree →
• 9 is greater than 6, so we write 9 > 6. tree →
• A whale is bigger than an elephant. tree →
• I would rather read than watch TV. tree →
• Nobody other than Mia knew the answer. tree →
• He's got way more cards than me, like 10 more. tree →
• Better than nothing, I s'pose. tree →
• You're slower than a snail, hurry up! tree →
• By how many does 23 exceed 15? tree →
• The number of pupils shall be not less than 20 and not more than 30. tree →

Note

«than» marks a comparison. «How many more A than B» asks for a difference: subtract, even though it says «more». «A has D more than B» gives A = B + D. «A exceeds B by D» is the same as A = B + D. «not less than 20» means 20 or more. Trap: do not mix up «than» (comparing) and «then» (next, after that).

In Jewish tradition

in «more … than», «fewer … than», «older … than», «less than», «bigger than»; in maths it marks a comparison; the signs > and < are read «greater than» and «less than»; in casual talk «more than ever», «better than nothing», «way more than», «heaps more than»; in rough talk «you're dumber than a box of rocks» (a put-down); in the exam voice «exceeds by», «is in excess of», «is not less than» (≥), «is not more than» (≤)

Examples

• And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. (Torah NUM.22.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Cain said unto the LORD: 'My punishment is greater than I can bear. (Torah GEN.4.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Abimelech said unto Isaac: 'Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.' (Torah GEN.26.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Deeper than the nether-world; what canst thou know? (Writings JOB.11.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Better is open rebuke than love that is hidden. (Writings PRO.27.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou lovest evil more than good; falsehood rather than speaking righteousness. (Writings PSA.52.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«than» marks a comparison. «How many more A than B» asks for a difference: subtract, even though it says «more». «A has D more than B» gives A = B + D. «A exceeds B by D» is the same as A = B + D. «not less than 20» means 20 or more. Trap: do not mix up «than» (comparing) and «then» (next, after that).