You use than after a comparative adjective or adverb in order to link two parts of a comparison.
The radio only weighs a few ounces and is smaller than a mobile phone.
She walks far more slowly than we do.
Than is also a conjunction.
He wished he could have helped her more than he did.
Sometimes patients are more depressed six months later than when they first hearthe bad news.
2. preposition
You use than when you are stating a number, quantity, or value approximately by saying that it is above or below another number, quantity, or value.
They talked on the phone for more than an hour.
The tournament starts in less than two months' time.
Head teachers yesterday demanded a nine per cent rise, more than twice the rate ofinflation.
3. conjunction
You use than in order to link two parts of a contrast, for example in order to state a preference.
The arrangement was more a formality than a genuine partnership of two nations.
I would rather stare at a clear, star-filled sky than a TV set.
I would sooner give up sleep than miss my evening class.
4. easier said than done
5. less than
6. more than
7. more often than not
8. other than
9. rather than
English Easy Learning GrammarComparisonThe comparative form of an adjective is commonly used to compare two people, things,or states, when you want to say that one thing has a larger or smaller ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarPrepositionsA preposition is one of a small but very common group of words that relate differentitems to each other. Most English prepositions have a number of meanings ... Read more
than in British English
(ðæn, unstressed ðən)
conjunction, preposition(coordinating)
1.
used to introduce the second element of a comparison, the first element of which expresses difference
shorter than you
couldn't do otherwise than love him
he swims faster than I run
2.
used after adverbs such as rather or sooner to introduce a rejected alternative in an expression of preference
rather than be imprisoned, I shall die
3. other than
▶ USAGE In formal English, than is usually regarded as a conjunction governing an unexpressed verb: he does it far better than I (do). The case of any pronoun therefore depends on whether it is the subject or objectof the unexpressed verb: she likes him more than I (like him); she likes him more than (she likes) me. However in ordinary speech and writing than is usually treated as a preposition and is followed by the object form of a pronoun:my brother is younger than me
Word origin
Old English thanne; related to Old Saxon, Old High German thanna; see then
than in American English
(ðæn)
conjunction
1.
introducing the second element in a comparison, following an adjective or adverb in the comparative degree
if the first element is a subject, object, predicate nominative, etc., the secondelement is construed in the same way: [he is taller than I; she arrived earlier than the others; Mom liked you better than me]: sometimes, informally, this use of than is construed as a preposition and the second element as its object [he is taller than me]
2.
expressing exception, following an adjective or adverb
none other than Sam
3.
when: used esp. following an inverted construction introduced by scarcely, hardly, barely, etc.
scarcely had I seen her than she spoke to me
4.
indicating difference or distinction
, as:
a.
introducing an adverbial clause
Paris was different than I'd thought it would be
b.
linking nouns or pronouns
her story is different than his
, this mainly informal use of than with different and differently is objected to by some
preposition
5.
compared with
chiefly in the phrase than whom (or which), compared or in comparison with whom (or which)
a writer than whom there is none finer
Word origin
ME than, thene, thonne < OE thenne, thanne, thonne, orig., then: for IE base see that
Examples of 'than' in a sentence
than
No wonder a higher than average number of these marriages ended in divorce.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
His wife did not see him for more than two weeks.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Sooner than he thinks if he continues to behave in this manner.
The Sun (2016)
This drops to less than a tenner after petrol.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Sadly it came to her much sooner than she expected.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some councils have seen more head teachers leaving in the past five years than the number of schools in the area.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If they succeed they will more than double the number of people who have trekked across the entire continent in this way.
The Sun (2016)
Unable to get rid of her by asking less than politely, he resorts to bribery.
The Sun (2016)
And you really don't get lower than reality TV shows.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their collected works today number fewer than forty songs.
Pamela Norris Words Of Love: Passionate Women from Heloise to Sylvia Plath (2006)
He rushed the net at opportune moments and breezed through in less than two hours.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
On the strength of her performance that could happen sooner than she imagined.
The Sun (2009)
Her investment paid dividends sooner than she might have guessed.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It also found female workers are promoted less often than male colleagues.
The Sun (2013)
As things turned out this was to happen sooner than he imagined.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The company is proud that there are no more than two steps between any member of staff and a senior manager.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They have exposed the limited range of his forward movement and a bat that sometimes comes down less than perfectly straight.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Rise two hours earlier than usual.
Mayes, Kathleen Beat Jet Lag - arrive alert and stay alert (1991)
They send the packages surface mail, so postage is less than two dollars.
Christianity Today (2000)
You'll be a lot more active sooner than you think.
The Sun (2015)
On the field and in full view, he captains more imaginatively and interestingly than his opposite number.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Provided you have more sequential cards than the number of missing higher cards, you have guaranteed extra tricks.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The show has been attacked in the past for being more suited to radio than TV.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The same age group spends more time online than watching TV.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The jolly duo are back and this series shows they are more than just TV chefs.
The Sun (2013)
We might be a few years away from more people experiencing things on the internet than on TV.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
What they lack in numbers they more than make up for in noise and intimidation - and will sell out home and away next term.
The Sun (2011)
That's less than five minutes of the owner's time.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Verdict Works better as a music speaker than a TV one.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
than
British English: than /ðæn; ðən/ PREPOSITION
You use than when you are talking about the difference between two people or things.
Children learn faster than adults.
American English: than
Arabic: مِنْ
Brazilian Portuguese: do que
Chinese: 比
Croatian: od
Czech: než porovnání
Danish: end
Dutch: dan
European Spanish: que
Finnish: kuin erilainen kuin
French: que
German: als
Greek: από
Italian: che
Japanese: ･･･よりも
Korean: ...보다
Norwegian: enn
Polish: niż
European Portuguese: do que
Romanian: decât
Russian: чем
Latin American Spanish: que
Swedish: än
Thai: เกินกว่า
Turkish: daha
Ukrainian: ніж
Vietnamese: hơn
All related terms of 'than'
less than
You use less than to say that something does not have a particular quality. For example, if you describe something as less than perfect , you mean that it is not perfect at all.
more than
If something is more than a particular thing, it has greater value or importance than this thing.
than most
than most others
other than
You use other than after a negative statement to say that the person, item , or thing that follows is the only exception to the statement.
rather than
instead of; in place of
different than
People sometimes say that one thing is different than another. This use is acceptable in American English, but is often considered incorrect in British English.
no less than
You use no less than before an amount to indicate that the amount is surprisingly large.
no fewer than
You use no fewer than to emphasize that a number is surprisingly large.
no sooner…than
immediately after or when
heavier-than-air
having a density greater than that of air
holier-than-thou
If you describe someone as holier-than-thou , you disapprove of them because they seem to believe that they are more religious or have better moral qualities than anyone else.
larger-than-life
If you say that someone or something is larger than life , you mean that they appear or behave in a way that seems more exaggerated or important than usual .
lighter than air
having a lower density than that of air
more than usually
You use more than usually to show that something shows even more of a particular quality than it normally does.
nothing less than
You can use nothing less than to emphasize your next words, often indicating that something seems very surprising or important.
nothing more than
If you say that someone or something is nothing more than a particular thing, you are emphasizing that they are only that thing, and nothing more interesting or important.
whiter than white
used for describing someone whose actions are always honest and moral. You usually use this expression when you are referring to doubts about the person's character or behaviour, or when you are being ironic and trying to suggest that the person is less honest or moral than they appear to be.
easier said than done
If you say that something is easier said than done , you are emphasizing that although it sounds like a good idea in theory , you think it would be difficult to actually do it.
know better than to
not to be so stupid as to
more often than not
in more than half the instances
no/nothing other than
You use nothing other than and no other than when you are going to mention a course of action , decision , or description and emphasize that it is the only one possible in the situation .
no more than/not more than
You use no more than or not more than when you want to emphasize how small a number or amount is.
better late than never
If you say better late than never when someone has done something, you think they should have done it earlier .
in more ways than one
You say in more ways than one to indicate that what you have said is intended to have more than one meaning .
more than meets the eye
hidden motives , meaning , or facts
no less a person than
a person of no lower importance , rank , etc. than
none other than no other than
You use none other than and no other than to emphasize the name of a person or thing when something about that person or thing is surprising in a particular situation .
blood is thicker than water
People say ' blood is thicker than water ' when they mean that their loyalty to their family is greater than their loyalty to anyone else.
neither more nor less than
simply
to be better than nothing
If you say that something is better than nothing , you mean that it is not what is required , but that it is better to have that thing than to have nothing at all.
actions speak louder than words
If you say that actions speak louder than words , you mean that people's actions show their real attitudes , rather than what they say. This expression is sometimes used to advise a person to do something positive .
more trouble than it is worth
If you say that someone or something is more trouble than they are worth , you mean that they cause you a lot of problems or take a lot of time and effort and you do not achieve or gain very much in return.
see no further than one's nose
to be short-sighted ; have myopia
bite off more than one can chew
to attempt a task beyond one's capability
bite off more than you can chew
to try to do too much
half a loaf is better than none
said to mean that it is better to take what you can get , even if it is very little, than to risk having nothing at all
as often as not
If you say that something happens as often as not, or more often than not , you mean that it happens fairly frequently, and that this can be considered as typical of the kind of situation you are talking about.
someone's bark is worse than their bite
If you say that someone's bark is worse than their bite , you mean that they seem much more unpleasant or hostile than they really are.
to bite off more than one can chew
If you say that someone has bitten off more than they can chew , you mean that they are trying to do something which is too difficult for them.
it's better to be safe than sorry better safe than sorry
If you say ' it's better to be safe than sorry ', you are advising someone to take action in order to avoid possible unpleasant consequences later , even if this seems unnecessary .
more/greater than the sum of its parts
If you say that something is more than the sum of its parts or greater than the sum of its parts , you mean that it is better than you would expect from the individual parts, because the way they combine adds a different quality.
something has more holes than Swiss cheese
said to mean that something, such as an argument or theory, has so many flaws that it cannot be taken seriously
there's more than one way to skin a cat
there are several ways to achieve something
there's more to something than meets the eye
said to mean that something is more complicated or more involved than it appears to be at first
there's more to this than meets the eye
You say ' there's more to this than meets the eye ' when you think a situation is not as simple as it seems to be.
have more things than you can shake a stick at
to have a very large number of a particular thing
his or her bark is worse than his or her bite
he or she is bad-tempered but harmless
have done something more than someone has had hot dinners
to have done something a great number of times
more...than you could shake a stick at more things than you can shake a stick at
If you say that there are more things than you could or can shake a stick at , you are emphasizing in a humorous way that there are a lot of them.
Chinese translation of 'than'
than
(ðæn; ðən)
prep
(in comparisons) 比 (bǐ)
⇒ She's taller than her husband.她比丈夫高。 (Tā bǐ zhàngfu gāo.)
⇒ We've got less than three weeks.我们只有不到3周的时间了。 (Wǒmen zhǐ yǒu bù dào sān zhōu de shíjiān le.)
⇒ This year my salary is more than twice what it was last year.我今年的薪水是去年的两倍多。 (Wǒ jīnnián de xīnshuǐ shì qùnián de liǎng bèi duō.)
conj
比 (bǐ)
⇒ He loves her more than she loves him.他比她爱得深。 (Tā bǐ tā ài de shēn.)
it's smaller than a matchbox它比一个(個)火柴盒还(還)小 (tā bǐ yī gè huǒcháihé hái xiǎo)
more/less than Paul比保罗(羅)多/少 (bǐ Bǎoluó duō/shǎo)
more than 20多于(於)20 (duō yú èrshí)
more than once不止一次 (bù zhǐ yī cì)
she's older than you think她比你想的年纪(紀)要大 (tā bǐ nǐ xiǎng de niánjì yào dà)
I'd rather stay in than go out我宁(寧)可呆在家里(裡)而不愿(願)出去 (wǒ nìngkě dāi zài jiā li ér bù yuàn chūqù)