What does than mean?
Than is a fundamental English comparison word used to connect two people, things, actions, or qualities. Most commonly, it follows a comparative form such as “older,” “more difficult,” “less expensive,” or “more quickly” and introduces what is being compared: “The library is more modern than the museum.” In constructions such as “rather than,” it introduces an alternative that is not preferred. Although older grammar manuals sometimes distinguish between than as a conjunction and than as a preposition, modern usage treats its function flexibly, especially when the second element is a clause. The word has no direct synonym or antonym because comparison itself is its central meaning. It is easily confused with then, which marks time or consequence rather than comparison. Mastering than is essential for expressing degrees, preferences, differences, and direct comparisons accurately in everyday speech and formal writing.
Used to introduce a comparison after a comparative adjective or adverb, or to introduce an alternative in expressions such as “rather than.”
"She found the second explanation clearer than the first."
When than introduces a clause, it is traditionally classified as a conjunction; modern usage often treats than more broadly as a comparison word.
Used before a noun or pronoun to introduce the element with which something is being compared.
"The new policy is more effective than the old one."
Traditional grammar commonly identifies than as a preposition when it is followed by a noun or pronoun rather than a full clause.
Than and then: one compares, one keeps time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does than come from?
Than developed from Old English þanne, an adverb and conjunction meaning “then” or “in that case,” and its modern form passed through Middle English. The modern words than and then descend from closely related but historically separate Old English forms. They share an ancestry in older Germanic demonstrative forms used to point to a person or circumstance, while later English assigned than the main role of expressing comparison and then the main role of expressing time or sequence.
How than is actually used
Than is standard in both formal and informal English. In formal prose, it is often used with nouns or clauses in comparisons, while “rather than” introduces a rejected or less-preferred alternative.
Easily confused with than
Than introduces a comparison, while then refers to a particular time or consequence.