Thanclauses

Than-clauses are a type of dependent clause used to express comparison. They are introduced by the conjunction than and modify a preceding adjective, adverb, or noun phrase in the main clause. The main function is to indicate that one item has more or less of a quality than another.

Forms and examples: A than-clause can be a finite clause with its own subject and verb, as in: She is taller than I am. The clause may also appear as a noun phrase or non-finite phrase: This car is cheaper than mine; It is easier than doing it; It would be better to wait than to act. In informal speech, people sometimes use than me (“taller than me”), though in formal writing than I am or than I expected is preferred. Infinitival forms exist in comparisons involving actions, such as It would be better to wait than to act.

Variations and notes: Than-clauses can include a range of tenses and modalities, matching the comparison being made. The pronoun inside a than-clause can affect formality and style (I/you/he/etc. vs. me/you/him, with I often preferred in formal contexts). Than often coordinates with other elements in longer comparisons, or with ellipsis where the remainder of the clause is understood from context. Compared with as-clauses used for equality, than-clauses express a difference in degree or quantity rather than an equivalence.