Then and Than
#1
08-03-2003 | 01:02 PM
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From: Hammer Lane
Then and Than
Their only similarity is in the way they sound. Than is used to compare or contrast things, as in "He is a lot smaller than his older brother." Then refers to time or consequence: "And the Canaanite was then in the land" (Gen. xii. 6.); "If all this be so, then man has a natural freedom" (Locke). So if one thing follows or results from another, use then.
Than is also used before a pronoun, as in "Paul loves pizza more than she."
It's really so simple. I'm no master of the English language myself; but, for some reason, this mistake is everywhere. Does nobody listen in elementary school anymore?
Rant over.:o
Than is also used before a pronoun, as in "Paul loves pizza more than she."
It's really so simple. I'm no master of the English language myself; but, for some reason, this mistake is everywhere. Does nobody listen in elementary school anymore?
Rant over.:o
j/k
-Mat-
#5
08-03-2003 | 01:25 PM
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From: Ventura, CA, USA
Re: Then and Than
Originally posted by Odin's Wrath
Their only similarity is in the way they sound. Than is used to compare or contrast things, as in "He is a lot smaller than his older brother." Then refers to time or consequence: "And the Canaanite was then in the land" (Gen. xii. 6.); "If all this be so, then man has a natural freedom" (Locke). So if one thing follows or results from another, use then.
Than is also used before a pronoun, as in "Paul loves pizza more than she."
It's really so simple. I'm no master of the English language myself; but, for some reason, this mistake is everywhere. Does nobody listen in elementary school anymore?
Rant over.:o
Their only similarity is in the way they sound. Than is used to compare or contrast things, as in "He is a lot smaller than his older brother." Then refers to time or consequence: "And the Canaanite was then in the land" (Gen. xii. 6.); "If all this be so, then man has a natural freedom" (Locke). So if one thing follows or results from another, use then.
Than is also used before a pronoun, as in "Paul loves pizza more than she."
It's really so simple. I'm no master of the English language myself; but, for some reason, this mistake is everywhere. Does nobody listen in elementary school anymore?
Rant over.:o
#7
08-03-2003 | 01:29 PM
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From: Shelton, Connecticut
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#8
08-03-2003 | 01:34 PM
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From: Hammer Lane
Re: Re: Then and Than
Originally posted by alphadoggy
Hmmmm, and who put this burr under your saddle? I hadn't particularly noticed a proliferation of this particular transgression against the language. To me the two most irritating misusages are people who try to stipulate degrees of uniqueness, as in "that Lightning is somewhat unique", and the constant repetition of the phrase "you know" in ordinary conversation.
Hmmmm, and who put this burr under your saddle? I hadn't particularly noticed a proliferation of this particular transgression against the language. To me the two most irritating misusages are people who try to stipulate degrees of uniqueness, as in "that Lightning is somewhat unique", and the constant repetition of the phrase "you know" in ordinary conversation.
#9
08-03-2003 | 01:46 PM
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From: Midwest
Could it be mis-use of spell check? I am not a very good typist and sometimes when I hit spellcheck I do not catch that it is giving me a word that is inappropriate for a particular application.
There are many other transgressions of the English language that get under my skin.
The worst of which is the nine tooth wonder often interviewed saying things like: If them there foriegn people can't talk plain English they aints got no buisness in this here country.
Or using the word "like" nine or ten times in a sentence.
There are many other transgressions of the English language that get under my skin.
The worst of which is the nine tooth wonder often interviewed saying things like: If them there foriegn people can't talk plain English they aints got no buisness in this here country.
Or using the word "like" nine or ten times in a sentence.
#10
08-03-2003 | 01:55 PM
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From: Hammer Lane
Originally posted by Nick D.
Could it be mis-use of spell check?
Could it be mis-use of spell check?
#11
08-03-2003 | 02:15 PM
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From: Lexington, KY
