Use of ‘than’ in comparative degree


1. Normally ‘than’ is used in the comparative degree, but with words like superior, inferior, senior,
junior, prior, anterior, posterior and prefer ‘to’ is used.
Sara is junior than Neeta. (Incorrect)
Sara is junior to Neeta. (Correct)
I prefer reading than walking. (Incorrect)
I prefer reading to walking. (Correct)
2. When a comparison is made by using a comparative followed by ‘than’, the word ‘other’ must
exclude the thing compared from the class of things with which it is compared.
He is better than any man. (Incorrect)
He is better than any other man. (Correct)
‘Any man’ includes the man himself and thus the sentences will be awkward.

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