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'Than' is both a conjunction and a preposition in the English language. In this lesson, we will discuss how to learn and use it.
Functions of 'Than'
'Than' as a Preposition
As mentioned above, one of the main functions of 'than' is to be a preposition. We are going to learn all about the different kinds of prepositions it can be, below:
Use
'Than' as a Preposition of Manner
We can use 'than' as a preposition of manner. Look:
When we are comparing two things, we us 'than' to introduce the second part of the comparison. Look:
The cake tasted more bitter than sweet.
As you can see, 'than' is showing the second part of a comparison.
The dress suits your sister more than you.
Lily has decided to text me rather than call.
When we are comparing numbers, amounts, etc. we use 'than':
If we walk there, we will get there in less than an hour.
Is it too far from here?
No, it's less than a mile to the gas station.
Position in a Sentence
As you know, prepositions come before nouns or noun phrases. Since 'than' is a preposition here, it must always come before nouns. Please note that we can never start a sentence with 'than'. Look at the following examples for more clarification:
Although they're the same age, she looks younger than her sister.
As you can see, 'than' is followed by a noun phrase.
We were going to hail a can until mom said that we could get there in less than an hour.
'Than' as a Conjunction
As it was mentioned above, 'than' can also be a conjunction. Below, we are going to learn all about it:
Use
'Than' as a Subordinating Conjunction
'Than' is used to connect a subordinate clause to an independent clause. So, it is called a subordinating conjunction. Look at the following examples:
I believe Hannah is more skilled at singing than Robert is.
As you can see, 'than' is connecting two clauses. However, one is dependent.
Hardly has we had time to think than one of the students felt sick.
Warning!
Please note that whenever we have a negative adverb like 'never', 'seldom', 'hardly', etc. at the beginning of the sentence, we must change the places of the subject and the verb. Look:
Never had she given up on me than the last conflict we had.
(Not Never she had given up...)
Position in a Sentence
As you know, conjunctions join clauses together. When 'than' functions as a subordinating conjunction, it comes between the subordinate clause and the main clause to connect them. Please note that we can never put 'than' at the beginning of the sentence. Look below:
It seems that an illiterate man like him knows how to handle a country better than you do, governor.
Don't you agree that you friend is a better artist than he is?
Idioms and Expression
We have very few idioms with 'than' in English. Below, we are going to learn all about them:
Other than: This one is mainly used in negative sentences and it is used when we want to make an exception:
I'm afraid I do not know anything other than you do.
The baby cries when he is hungry but other than that he is mostly quiet.
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