1 PREP (用于形容词、副词的比较级之后，连接比较对象)比 You use than after a comparative adjective or adverb in order to link two parts of a comparison. (用于形容词、副词的比较级之后，连接比较对象)比
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The radio only weighs a few ounces and is smaller than a cigarette packet.
这台收音机重量仅为几盎司，比香烟盒还小。
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Indian skins age far more slowly than American or Italian ones.
印度人的皮肤比美国人或意大利人的皮肤衰老得慢得多。
Than is also a conjunction.
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He wished he could have helped her more than he did.
他真希望当初能给予她更多的帮助。
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Sometimes patients are more depressed six months later than when they first hear the bad news.
有时，病人 6 个月后比最初听到坏消息时情绪更低落。
2 PREP (数目、数量、价值等)比…(多、少、重要或次要等) You use than when you are stating a number, quantity, or value approximately by saying that it is above or below another number, quantity, or value. (数目、数量、价值等)比…(多、少、重要或次要等)
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They talked on the phone for more than an hour.
他们在电话里谈了一个多小时。
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...the three-match Test series in England, starting in less than two months time.
再过不到两个月就要在英格兰开始的三场制国际板球对抗赛
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Head teachers yesterday demanded a nine per cent rise, more than twice the rate of inflation.
校长们昨天要求增加 9% 的工资，这个比例是通货膨胀率的两倍多。
3 CONJ-COORD 与其说，而不是(连接对比的对象，以表示优先考虑等) You use than in order to link two parts of a contrast, for example in order to state a preference. 与其说，而不是(连接对比的对象，以表示优先考虑等)
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The arrangement was more a formality than a genuine partnership of two nations.
这一协定与其说体现了两个国家之间真正的伙伴关系，还不如说是一种形式。
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I would rather stare at a clear, star-filled sky than a TV set.
我宁可凝视繁星满天的晴朗夜空也不愿盯着电视机。
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I would sooner give up sleep than miss my evening class.
我宁肯不睡觉也不愿错过夜校的课。
4 easier said than done→see: easy less than→see: less more than→see: more more often than not→see: often other than→see: other rather than→see: rather
| Usage | than and then |
| Than and then are often confused. Use than to make a comparison. The unemployment rate is lower now than it was last year. Then means 'at that time' or 'next'. There were a lot more unemployed people then. Slice the skin off the fruit and then cut it into quarters. |
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