Common mistake that vs than
Common Grammar Mistake: That vs. Than
When it comes to English grammar, there are several common mistakes that even the most advanced speakers make. One such mistake is confusing the words "that" and "than." While they may sound similar, they have distinct meanings and are used in different contexts.
1. "That" as a Pronoun
One common use of the word "that" is as a pronoun. It is used to point to something specific or to introduce a clause in a sentence. For example:
- He said that he would arrive late.
- Show me that beautiful painting.
2. "Than" as a Comparison Word
On the other hand, "than" is used to make comparisons between two things. It is often used in comparative statements or to show a difference in degree. For example:
- She is taller than her brother.
- I would rather go for a walk than watch TV.
3. Common Misuse: Confusing "That" with "Than"
One of the most common mistakes is using "that" instead of "than" in comparative statements. For example:
- Incorrect: My car is faster that yours.
- Correct: My car is faster than yours.
Using "that" instead of "than" changes the meaning of the sentence and results in incorrect grammar. It is important to pay attention to this distinction to ensure clear and accurate communication.
4. How to Avoid the Mistake
To avoid confusion between "that" and "than," it is helpful to remember their distinct purposes. If you are making a comparison, use "than." If you are referring to something specific or introducing a clause, use "that."
Additionally, using a reliable grammar checker like Linguix can help catch these common mistakes and provide suggestions for correct word usage in your writing.
Remember, mastering grammar takes time and practice, but by being aware of common mistakes like confusing "that" with "than," you can improve your English language skills and convey your intended meaning more effectively.
that vs than mistake examples
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Incorrect:It must be greater that 10 meters.Correct:It must be greater than 10 meters.
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Correct:The more that one coin produces results that favor heads, the more confident we can become that it is “fixed” and we aren’t having “weird luck”.
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Correct:Better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer.
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Correct:It was then a few years later that two entrepreneurs from Chattanooga ...
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Incorrect:The amount is more that $10.Correct:The amount is more than $10.
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Incorrect:It takes more that a few hours.Correct:It takes more than a few hours.
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Correct:The more that one coin produces results that favor heads, the more confident we can become that it is “fixed” and we aren’t having “weird luck”.
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Correct:Better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer.
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Incorrect:Alternatively, you must rank the money you receive more favorably that the merchandise you give up, otherwise why would you sell it?Correct:Alternatively, you must rank the money you receive more favorably than the merchandise you give up, otherwise why would you sell it?
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Incorrect:Some governments are more libertarian that others.Correct:Some governments are more libertarian than others.
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Incorrect:Tom thinks that Korean girls are more beautiful that Japanese for the most part.Correct:Tom thinks than Korean girls are more beautiful than Japanese for the most part.
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Incorrect:The Republicans are almost certain to offer something less generous that the original Davis transmission line offer.Correct:The Republicans are almost certain to offer something less generous than the original Davis transmission line offer.
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Correct:I think it’s more likely that the weapons will be attached to kingdoms, making the hero count as that kingdom as a troop.
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Correct:More proof that the WiFi radio has been screwed with.
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Correct:It’s actually more likely that this may be an undocumented added feature that we will eventually receive access to and documentation for.
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Correct:More on that next Monday!
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Correct:And then change it to something more useful that returns the result set:
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Correct:It’s way more funnier that way.
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Correct:The latest documentation seems to call out more clearly that apps cannot access project category.
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Correct:More appropriate that Russia steps in as a big power as the US bows out.
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Correct:It’s more likely that these powerful players you’re seeing just spent a lot of time playing Gems of War.
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Correct:I was more frustrated that day.
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Correct:At Tatoeba, it is more important that a translation sound natural than that it be strictly faithful to the original.
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Correct:Nowhere but in the world of the antique is it more obvious that many of the things that we, as individuals hold dear, are completely arbitrary.
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Incorrect:LT has a more robust policy that Company.Correct:LT has a more robust policy than Company.
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Correct:The Ministry of Environment would play a more important role that way.
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Correct:This seems to be a more subtle bug that Einar is trying to solve with you.
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Correct:I recently saw a more positive statistic that people who get schizophrenia in their teens - 20 years later 2 in 3 will be in remission.
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Incorrect:The open-source community can produce a better app that Outlook.Correct:The open-source community can produce a better app than Outlook.
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Incorrect:The open-source community can produce a better app that Outlook - but we need people to do it.Correct:The open-source community can produce a better app than Outlook - but we need people to do it.
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Incorrect:Warren is a better candidate that Hillary, but that's not saying much.Correct:Warren is a better candidate than Hillary, but than's not saying much.
