Than Meaning
Than Definition & Usage
Used to introduce the second element in a comparison.
Examples
- "She is taller than I am."
- "This car is faster than that one."
- "I would rather go to the beach than stay at home."
- "He sings better than most of the class."
- "The movie was more interesting than the book."
Used to introduce a choice or preference between two elements.
Examples
- "Would you like tea than coffee?"
- "She prefers working at night than during the day."
- "I’d rather read than watch TV."
- "The team chose to play indoors than outside."
- "John is better at math than his brother."
Cultural Context
The word 'than' has been used for centuries to make comparisons and express preferences. Its role in English grammar is crucial, especially in structuring comparative sentences and in phrases denoting choices or alternatives. As a part of comparative constructions, 'than' is an integral part of everyday conversation and academic writing.
The Choice Between Two Roads
Story
The Choice Between Two Roads
In a small village nestled between two mountains, there was a decision to be made. Sarah and her brother Ben were about to embark on a journey to find a hidden treasure, but they were faced with two paths — one leading through a dark forest and the other up a steep hill. Sarah, always the adventurous one, declared, 'I’d rather take the forest path. It’s more thrilling than the boring hill.' Ben, however, preferred the safer route and said, 'I think the hill is better than the forest. It looks less dangerous.' They stood there for a moment, staring at the two paths, each weighing the other’s argument. 'I understand,' Sarah said, 'but I believe we will have more fun in the forest.' Ben hesitated for a moment, then grinned. 'Maybe you’re right. It might be more exciting than the hill. Let’s go!' And so, they chose the path that Sarah had recommended. Along the way, they discovered hidden caves and sparkling streams, a place they never would have found if they had chosen the hill. They realized that sometimes, choosing the more challenging option leads to the most unexpected rewards. At the end of the journey, Ben looked at Sarah and said, 'You were right. This was definitely more exciting than I expected.'
