Then instead of than?

[Wilko]

I have seen this online at least 10 times today (including NSC). What the f*** is that all about? The latest Argus tweet:

brightonargus Brighton Argus Suspected Hove bike thief arrested after more then £50,000 seized

Surely I am not the only one bothered by this?

 

[Meade's Ball]

Your joking.

 

[kingcole]

It bothers me too - nearly as much as there and their.

 

[Wilko]

Your joking.

That made me do a LOL

 

[Sussex Nomad]

I like to keep my grammar as neat and tidy as possible, but those that are little more grammatically challenged really don't annoy me... diversity is the spice of life.

 

[Wilko]

I like to keep my grammar as neat and tidy as possible, but those that are little more grammatically challenged really don't annoy me... diversity is the spice of life.

Do you not think The Argus should get it right though?

 

[Sussex Nomad]

Do you not think The Argus should get it right though?

On twitter? Nah isn't important really is it?

 

[Seagull Steve]

I keep seeing these grammar threads, is really important on a message board? I would have thought that as long as you are understood, then no problem. It doesn't bother me, but some people try correcting people all the time. That's the annoying thing to me.

 

[Wilko]

On twitter? Nah isn't important really is it?

Well in some cases YES, using then instead of than completley changes the meaning:

I'd rather go to The Amex than Selhurst

Id' rather go to The Amex then Selhurst

The second statement states that you want to go to Selhurst after you have been to The Amex. The first statement is quite different and makes a very different point.

 

[FKalinx]

Definately is the one that gets me angry!

 

[sammy g]

I write this with a degree of trepidation, but can someone confirm when than is the appropriate word to use as opposed to then?

 

[Superphil]

I don't think I have ever seen or heard that before. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I will probably spot it all over the place now.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

Well in some cases YES, using then instead of than completley changes the meaning:

I'd rather go to The Amex than Selhurst

Id' rather go to The Amex then Selhurst

The second statement states that you want to go to Selhurst after you have been to The Amex. The first statement is quite different and makes a very different point.

Don't disagree Wilko, however you still get the jist of the sentence don't you? That's more important than the context it is written in shirley? I try to keep my grammar neat and tidy because I do it for myself, no-one else and f*** up sometimes, in fact probably quite often, but I get my message across, however banal it may be.

 

[Wilko]

I don't think I have ever seen or heard that before. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I will probably spot it all over the place now.

No, you are better then that Phil

 

[Wilko]

Don't disagree Wilko, however you still get the jist of the sentence don't you? That's more important than the context it is written in shirley? I try to keep my grammar neat and tidy because I do it for myself, no-one else and f*** up sometimes, in fact probably quite often, but I get my message across, however banal it may be.

Yeah fair point, I am sure it annoys me far more than it should do.

 

[Wilko]

I write this with a degree of trepidation, but can someone confirm when than is the appropriate word to use as opposed to then?

Than is used only in comparisons, so if you're comparing something use than. If not, then you have to use then.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

Then is used only in comparisons, so if you're comparing something use then. If not, than you have to use than.

That'll confuse him!!!

 

[sammy g]

That'll confuse him!!!

Thank you, amazingly not too confused.