Then vs Than.

**samgab** · 8th June 2009, 17:05

It's a silly little thing, but hey, it says "Rant or Rave", so:

Has anyone else noticed the incorrect usage of the word "then" lately?
Eg: "I was walking down the road faster then Jane".

What? The word is THAN.

Just wanted to vent about that. There's no cure for what I have.

**p.dath** · 8th June 2009, 17:13

I think I would rather have more sleep than devoting time to thinking about the subject.

**samgab** · 8th June 2009, 17:18

Originally Posted by p.dath

I think I would rather have more sleep than devoting time to thinking about the subject.

Correction: "I think I would rather have more sleep then devoting time to thinking about the subject."
-errr, I think that's it. Or, wait no... But I quite understand. I'd rather be sleeping at 5pm too.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 8th June 2009, 17:32

Originally Posted by samgab

Correction: "I think I would rather have more sleep then devoting time to thinking about the subject."
-errr, I think that's it. Or, wait no... But I quite understand. I'd rather be sleeping at 5pm too.

Both options in that is correct... and gives the sentence a difference meaning

**Edbear** · 8th June 2009, 17:55

English is probably the most tortured language on Earth. It seems fewer and fewer people know how to read, speak or write it properly and most just don't care anyway.

**scumdog** · 8th June 2009, 17:57

Yeah, good England is not really sort after these days....

**sinfull** · 8th June 2009, 17:58

Originally Posted by Edbear

most just don't care anyway.

Well it dosen't matter than does it !

**Edbear** · 8th June 2009, 18:02

Originally Posted by sinfull

Well it dosen't matter than does it !

LOL!!!

I think it does, but then I'm old school and did well at English back in school. The other advantage is that my writing, editing and proof-reading skills are becoming very sought after due to the fact that people need to be able to communicate...

Who would have thought that even a good basic knowledge of English would become a potential vocation?

**Indiana_Jones** · 8th June 2009, 18:13

-Indy

**samgab** · 8th June 2009, 18:13

Originally Posted by Edbear

LOL!!!

I think it does, but then I'm old school and did well at English back in school. The other advantage is that my writing, editing and proof-reading skills are becoming very sought after due to the fact that people need to be able to communicate...

Who would have thought that even a good basic knowledge of English would become a potential vocation?

I believe I missed my calling as a proof reader. Most spelling and grammar errors are glaringly apparent. Having said that, my spelling certainly isn't what it once was, thanks to spell check.

**samgab** · 8th June 2009, 18:17

I saw them! Their going down they're with there dictionaries...

**samgab** · 8th June 2009, 18:19

...and a bear naked beer drinking bare.

**sinfull** · 8th June 2009, 18:42

Originally Posted by Edbear

LOL!!!

I think it does, but then I'm old school and did well at English back in school. The other advantage is that my writing, editing and proof-reading skills are becoming very sought after due to the fact that people need to be able to communicate...

Who would have thought that even a good basic knowledge of English would become a potential vocation?

Although I didn't do so well at school, i am rather pedantic when it comes to spelling and punctuation and will sit and read through anything i write several times changing this and that !
I know that I still make alot of punctuation mistakes, but reading it over a few times i know it makes sense, so i'll hit submit haha
The example i used on you is one that really grates me when i see it, it doesn't even sound right !

My partner Heidi is one whom i'd call a "literate" person, she's doing a one year graduate diploma in early childhood and you can imagine the workload involved with cramming a 3 year course into one !
But still she's insisted on setting up a study group of her peers (90% of whom, english is their 2nd language) who are having trouble with their grammar and comprehension !
So now when i ask what she's up to while she's tapping away at the laptop, the chances are she's punctuating (read: changing the odd word, but not what they've written) everybody elses essays rather than writing her own !
I managed to drag her away from her pc yesterday for a day on the bike and still her cell went off, with one of the other students asking her to edit an essay for her, which was a resubmitt after failing first time out AND was due today !
Epic fail ............

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 8th June 2009, 18:42

Originally Posted by Edbear

English is probably the most tortured language on Earth. It seems fewer and fewer people know how to read, speak or write it properly and most just don't care anyway.

we have this documentary series on the English language how it has evolved and still is evolving... its very interesting.. you'd be surprised what you are saying and its origins... and how the language is now the most use language (and that includes chiness, as they use English to conduct business with other countries etc) there are now sub categories in the language as different countries are starting to get there own dialect