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:
Relative Pronoun: Used to introduce a defining clause.
- Example: "The book that you lent me was fascinating."
Conjunction: Used to introduce a clause that provides further information.
- Example: "He said that he would come."
Determiner: Used to indicate a specific thing or person.
- Example: "That car is mine."
Adverb: Used for emphasis.
- Example: "I didn't know it was that difficult."
"Than"
Part of Speech: Conjunction or preposition
Uses:
- Conjunction: Used to introduce the second element in a comparison.
- Example: "She is taller than her brother."
- 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)
- "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.
Mnemonic to Remember
Understanding the different roles these words play in sentences can help you use them correctly.