thanphrase

Thanphrase is a term used in linguistic descriptions to denote the constituent that follows the comparative conjunction than in English and related languages. It functions as the standard of comparison in a comparative construction and can be a noun phrase, a pronoun phrase, or a clause. In many cases the entirety of the than-phrase is reduced by ellipsis, leaving only the necessary elements for interpretation.

Forms and examples. A noun phrase than-phrase might appear as more than five kilometers. A pronoun phrase can be more than I, as in informal contexts where the rest of the clause is implied. A finite clause can follow than in sentences like taller than I am. Ellipsis common in everyday speech allows forms such as He is taller than I do, or more commonly, He earns more money than I do. In casual speech, the than-phrase can also appear as than me, though prescriptive style guides often prefer than I in formal contexts.

Grammar and variation. In many grammatical frameworks, the than-phrase is analyzed as a complement to the comparative marker than. The internal structure of the than-phrase varies: it can be an NP, a pronoun phrase, or a dependent clause. Ellipsis is frequent, especially after verbs of perception or possession. Case and pronoun choice (than I vs. than me) can vary by register and dialect, with modern usage increasingly accepting both forms in informal contexts.

Cross-linguistic notes. English primarily uses than in comparative constructions, sometimes with modifiers such as more or less. Other languages express comparison through different markers or word orders, but the concept of a standard of comparison following a marker similar to than is common in many languages.