Than: Definition, Usage, and Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：compared to (than)

than 🔊

/ðæn/

conj./prep.

A word used to connect two things or people when comparing them. It shows a difference between them in amount, size, quality, etc.

Balance scale showing more oranges on right side than left side

compared to 🔊

➕

/kəmˈpɛrd tuː/

conj./prep.

Used in comparisons to introduce the second element being compared, indicating a difference or preference.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Originates from Old English 'þanne' meaning 'then' or 'than', related to 'then'.

💡 Mnemonic

'Than' compares two: think 'The ANswer' to the comparison.

📖 Example

The weather today is much better than yesterday's. 🔊 The weather today is much better than yesterday's.

🔗 Collocations

better than – Indicating superiority or preference

more than – Indicating a greater amount or degree

other than – Indicating exclusion or exception

🔄 Synonyms

compared to (prep.) – Used to highlight similarities or differences between two things.

in contrast with (prep.) – Used to show differences between two things.

as opposed to (prep.) – Used to introduce a contrast or alternative.

📖 Cultural Story

Than evolved from Old English 'þanne', which once served both temporal and comparative roles. It gradually specialized into a pure comparison marker, distinct from 'then'.