Then or Than

[lasher]

Hey now MsC,

After reading numerous posts (on other sites) that switched the words "then and than" I needed to look up the definitions for my own sanity.

According to Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary 11th edition:

Then is usually associated with time.
Then adv. - 1. At that time. 2. Soon after that: next (after me, then you can go)
3. In addition: besides (if I do, then what?)
4. In that case. (since Bob did, then you can too)

Then adj. - Existing or acting at that time (the then Attorney General)

Then n. - That time (when? well, since then)

Than is more comparative.
Than conj. - 1. Used after a comparative adj or adv to introduce the second of a comparison expressing inequality. (older than I)

2. Also used after "other" or a word of similar meaning to express a difference of a kind, manner or identity. (adults other [U]than[U] parents)

Than prep. - In comparison with (older than me)


MsC, after looking this up I have a couple questions.........

1. What is conj? (conjunction?)
AND
2. Why does it seem to have the same meaning as the preposition?

I think you have better resources - if you could look this up, than you would clear this whole thing up for me...... It would be mucho appreciated.....

[ctivnan]

Hello lasher!
Thanks very much for your question! :cheers:

Conjunctions are used to connect words or phrases that have the same grammatical function in a sentence. Let's take a look at the different conjunctions:

Coordinating Conjunction (Parallel Structure)
AND, BUT, OR, NOR

e.g.
Judy, Sally, and I attended Andrew's final profession this morning.
Judy or Sally will go to the mall this afternoon.
(here we are connecting nouns functioning as the subject)

I like apples and mangoes.
These shirts are old but comfortable.
(here we are connecting nouns functioning as the object)

Mark raised the cup and said a prayer.
Mark raised the cup but didn't say a prayer.
(here we are connecting verbs)

Tiago went to the party, but Wilson stayed at home.
(here we are connecting independent clauses)

Paired / Correlative Conjunctions (Parallel Structure)
BOTH...AND, EITHER...OR,
NEITHER...NOT, NOT ONLY...BUT ALSO,
NOT ONLY...BUT...AS WELL

e.g.
Both Marcio and Tiago are from Brazil.
(connects nouns: subjects)

They not only cooked dinner but (also) washed the dishes.
(connects verbs)

I play neither volleyball nor soccer.
(connects nouns: objects)

Either the doctor will give him the shot or the nurse will have to make him drink the pill.
(connects clauses)

In connecting independent clauses we have other conjunctions:
SO (meaning 'therefore', 'as a result')
FOR (meaning 'because', since)
YET (meaning 'but', 'nevertheless')

In this case, let's take a closer look at FOR, which can also be used as a preposition depending on the sentence structure you use.

Compare:

The attempted coup d'etat was a big enough to scare the citizens, for there have been a number of bombings in the Metro within the last quarter.
(here, it is used as 'because'; it is also preceded by a comma)

The police waited for the rebels to surrender.
(here 'for' is a preposition preceded by a verb)

The rebels left for Camp Aguinaldo.
(again, 'for' is used as a preposition)

Therefore, a preposition is a word usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation (not connecting ideas) to another word or element in the clause.

I hope this helps. :cheers: If you need more clarification, just let me know.

[lasher]

Hey now MsC,

Thank you very much for your answer.

It does clear things up for me, but just to make sure I have it correct - if a conjunction is preceding a noun or pronoun then it is a preposition, if it precedes anything else it is a conjunction -

Ok, again, thank you for your time answering my questions, I appreciate mucho.....

:coffeedrink:

[ctivnan]

:flower2: Glad to have helped! :flower2:

If the word (e.g. for) precedes a noun or a pronoun only (or comes after a verb), then it is a preposition; if it precedes a clause, then it is a conjunction. :victory:


This is also true with adverb time clause connectors that look like prepositions (e.g. after, before, during, etc).

e.g.
Before winter, Koreans have to prepare Kimchi.
(here, 'before' functions as a preposition; the phrase can be understood as a short answer to a question: "When do Koreans prepare Kimchi?" ~ "Before winter.")

After the Koreans prepared Kimchi for winter, they will have enough to last through the cold season.
(here, 'after' functions as a time clause connector; on its own, it cannot be understood)

:cheers:

[lasher]

Hey now MsC,

Thank you for that answer, that does clear up the preposition/conjunction dilemma for me - now if I can only retain this info...........

It's good knowing I can keep coming back for refreshers.............:bgigrin1:

[ctivnan]

Hey now MsC,

Thank you for that answer, that does clear up the preposition/conjunction dilemma for me - now if I can only retain this info...........

It's good knowing I can keep coming back for refreshers.............:bgigrin1:

You're welcome! :groove:

[Zahir]

Wow! This has been very informative! Good question, lasher! :mypleasure:

Thanks for the refresher, ctivnan!