than

Than is a conjunction used in comparisons in English. It introduces the second element of a comparison and links it to an adjective, an adverb, a determiner phrase, or a clause. It is not a time word; that function belongs to then.

Common uses include: with adjectives or adverbs (bigger than, more quickly than), with determiners or pronouns (more than one, fewer than before), and with clauses (She is taller than I am). In the clause form, the implied verb may be omitted after than, as in “than I am” or “than I do.” In informal speech, many speakers use “than me” instead of the prescriptively strict “than I” in clauses.

The phrase no more than is widely used to mean “only” or “not more than,” as in no more than ten people attended. Than also participates in comparative constructions that form the upper or lower bound of a comparison, such as “than ever before” or “than any other option.”

Etymology traces than to Old English throne or then forms, evolving in the history of English to its current role as a comparative conjunction. A common point of confusion is confusing than with then, which is used for time. Another frequent error is the simultaneous use of double comparatives (e.g., “more better”) which is incorrect; use the standard comparative form (better, more quickly, etc.) with than.

In summary, than is the standard tool for making comparisons across adjectives, adverbs, determiners, and clauses, distinguishing the intended element being contrasted from its counterpart.