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{{Distinguish|Then (disambiguation){{!}}Then}}
{{Short description|English function word}}
{{otheruses|Than (disambiguation)}}
{{Multiple issues|
 {{Refimprove|date=November 2009}}
 {{Original research|date=July 2022}}
 {{lead extra info|date=July 2022}}
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{{Wiktionary|than}}
'''''Than''''' is a [[grammatical particle]] analyzed as both a [[grammatical conjunction|conjunction]] and a [[preposition]] in the [[English language]]. It introduces a comparison and is associated with [[Comparative syntax in English|comparative]]s and with words such as [[wikt:more|more]], [[wikt:less|less]], and [[wikt:fewer|fewer]]. Typically, it measures the force of an [[adjective]] or similar description between two [[Predicate (grammar)|predicate]]s.

==Usage==

===Case of pronouns following ''than''===
According to the view of many English-language [[Prescription (linguistics)|prescriptivists]], including influential 18th-century grammarian [[Robert Lowth]], ''than'' is exclusively a conjunction and therefore takes either [[nominative case|nominative]] (or subjective) or [[oblique case|oblique]] (or objective) pronouns, depending on context, rather than exclusively oblique pronouns as prepositions do.<ref>{{Cite book |last=O'Conner |title=Origins of the Specious: Myths and Misconceptions of the English Language |year=2009 |pages=40–41}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Crystal |title=Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language |edition=2nd |pages=203}}</ref> This rule is broken as often as it is observed. For instance, [[William Shakespeare]]'s 1600 play ''[[Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]'' has an instance of an oblique pronoun following ''than'' where the nominative is also possible:
:''A man no mightier than thyself or me...''

Likewise, [[Samuel Johnson]] wrote:
:''No man had ever more discernment than him, in finding out the ridiculous.''

In simple comparisons in contemporary English, ''than'' often takes an oblique pronoun, which lexicographers and usage commentators regard as prepositional use and as standard.

The [[noun case|case]] of a [[pronoun]] following ''than'' can be determined by context. For example:
* ''You are a better swimmer than she.''
** The sentence is equivalent to "You are a better swimmer than she is."
* ''They like you more than her.''
** The sentence is equivalent to "They like you more than they like her."
** The sentence "They like you more than she" may instead mean "They like you more than she likes you."

===Confusion between ''than'' and ''then''===
In writing, ''than'' and ''[[Then (disambiguation)|then]]'' are often erroneously interchanged. In standard English, ''then'' refers to time or consequence, while ''than'' is used in comparisons.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:English grammar]]