Than
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{{Wiktionarypar|than}}
'''"Than"''' is a [[grammatical particle]] serving as both [[grammatical conjunction|conjunction]] and [[preposition]] in the [[English language]]. It introduces a comparison, and as such is associated with [[comparative]]s, and with words such as [[more]], [[less]], and [[fewer]]. Typically, it seeks to measure the force of an [[adjective]] or similar description between two [[Predicate (grammar)|predicate]]s.
== Usage ==
[[Prescription (linguistics)|Usage prescriptionists]] apply a number of rules concerning ''than'' that those who do not wish to be edited or corrected may wish to note. These prescriptive grammarians say that ''than'' is a preposition that invariably governs the [[oblique case]]; opponents argue that although the word has been used in other ways by writers such as [[William Shakespeare]], whose 1600 play ''[[Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]'' contains the line:
:''A man no mightier than thyself or me. . .''
and [[Samuel Johnson]], who wrote:
:''No man had ever more discernment than him, in finding out the ridiculous.''
In actual usage, ''than'' functions as both conjunction and preposition; when it is used as a conjunction, it governs the [[nominative case]], and when a preposition, the oblique case.
To determine the [[noun case|case]] of a [[pronoun]] following "than" observing the stricter rules, a writer must look for extra understood words and determine how they relate to the pronoun.
;Examples:
* ''You are a better swimmer than she.''
** represents "You are a better swimmer than she is."
** therefore, "You are a better swimmer than her" is arguably incorrect usage.
* ''They like you more than her.''
** represents "They like you more than they like her."
** therefore, "They like you more than she" would instead mean "They like you more than she likes you".
[[Category:English grammar]]