Difference between "that" and "than"

The words "that" and "than" are often confused because they sound somewhat similar, but they have very different meanings and uses in English. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two:

"That"

Part of Speech:: Pronoun, conjunction, determiner, or adverb

Uses:

1. Relative Pronoun: Used to introduce a defining clause.

   • Example: "The book that you lent me was fascinating."

2. Conjunction: Used to introduce a clause that provides further information.

   • Example: "He said that he would come."

3. Determiner: Used to indicate a specific thing or person.

   • Example: "That car is mine."

4. Adverb: Used for emphasis.

   • Example: "I didn't know it was that difficult."

"Than"

Part of Speech: Conjunction or preposition

Uses:

1. Conjunction: Used to introduce the second element in a comparison.
   • Example: "She is taller than her brother."
2. Preposition: Used in a comparison involving quantities or degrees.
   • Example: "He has more experience than me."

Key Differences

• Function: "That" is multifunctional (pronoun, conjunction, determiner, adverb), while "than" is used strictly for comparisons (conjunction, preposition).
• Usage Context: "That" introduces clauses, specifies things or persons, and emphasizes; "than" introduces a comparison.

Examples in Sentences

• That:

  • "The cat that you saw was a stray." (relative pronoun)
  • "I hope that you will join us." (conjunction)
  • "That movie was really good." (determiner)
  • "I didn't realize it was that far." (adverb)

• Than:

  • "She is smarter than her peers." (conjunction)
  • "He can run faster than I can." (preposition)

Mnemonic to Remember

• "That" contains an "a" and is versatile in its use, similar to "a" in "all-rounder."
• "Than" contains an "a" and is used in comparisons.

Understanding the different roles these words play in sentences can help you use them correctly.

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