Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Grammar Girl: THEN vs THAN

POSTGG


Simaril brought up a very good example of a problem we see in writing:

then versus than

Then has several meanings:

1) at that point in time

Charlie: "Bella, will you be home right after school? I'll call you
then."

2) next, afterward

Bella read Romeo and Juliet and
then went to bed.

3) in addition, also, on top of that

Bella: "Edward told me he was leaving, and
then that I couldn't go with him."

4) in that case, therefore.

Edward: "Bella, if you want me to have sex with you,
then you'll have to marry me."

Than is quite simple - it is a conjunction used in comparisons:

Emmett is taller
than Carlisle.

Jasper is thirstier
than everyone.

Jacob is hairier
than Edward.

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