NationStates Jolt Archive

I've noticed many people on NS use "then" when they mean "than." For example, "faster then light travel is a fantasy." Why is this happening? Is it a failure of out educational system or are most of the people who make this error have a native language other than English? Is it just a typo? Just wondering.

Because many people can't distinguish between certain vowels, I suppose. Either that, or they're not careful to proofread; or they're just semiliterate.

I prefer the second option, because it assumes the greatest intelligence, but it may or may not be the correct one.

Because many people can't distinguish between certain vowels, I suppose. Either that, or they're not careful to proofread; or they're just semiliterate.

I prefer the second option, because it assumes the greatest intelligence, but it may or may not be the correct one.
Its the proof read one. Remember, a lot of one-liners/snarky responses need to be pounded off as quickly as possible before someone else makes the same obvious joke, and so proofreading suffers and dies the death of every other obsessive compulsive pendantrist.
Also, the two letters are close together so it is possible that sometimes are just random typoes.

I blame the keyboard, when I goof. :)

I blame the keyboard, when I goof. :)

I never thought of that. :eek:

I blame the keyboard, when I goof. :)

Like with that comma?;)

Regional accents perhaps? Perhaps in some places, the two words aren't pronounced distinctly?

I've noticed many people on NS use "then" when they mean "than." For example, "faster then light travel is a fantasy." Why is this happening? Is it a failure of out educational system or are most of the people who make this error have a native language other than English? Is it just a typo? Just wondering.
Because then and than are becoming marginalized and rolled into one word by the inevitable march of the English language. It's how languages work. I think all but the most anal retentive grammar freaks are giving up on whom/who, and I know that they've all but surrendered over nauseate/nauseous.

Because then and than are becoming marginalized and rolled into one word by the inevitable march of the English language. It's how languages work. I think all but the most anal retentive grammar freaks are giving up on whom/who, and I know that they've all but surrendered over nauseate/nauseous.
Never give up, never give up, never give up. "Then" and "than" are not the same, and the day they become the same would be a sad day, indeed. I also have a problem when those with whom I speak say nauseous. It just makes them sound uneducated.

So in response to the OP, I think it's a combination of a failing education system and general laziness/unwillingness of people to learn the English language. I can understand non-native speakers making this error, but when people with whom I grew up say that one thing is better "then" something else, I lose a small amount of respect for them. Same goes for NSers whose profiles identify them as being from a predominantly English-speaking country.

Olara']Never give up, never give up, never give up. "Then" and "than" are not the same, and the day they become the same would be a sad day, indeed. I also have a problem when those with whom I speak say nauseous. It just makes them sound uneducated.

So in response to the OP, I think it's a combination of a failing education system and general laziness/unwillingness of people to learn the English language. I can understand non-native speakers making this error, but when people with whom I grew up say that one thing is better "then" something else, I lose a small amount of respect for them. Same goes for NSers whose profiles identify them as being from a predominantly English-speaking country.
The evolution of any language dictates that common usage becomes proper usage. Eventually. Even books less then 40 years old have outdated rules that seem absolutely silly to anyone who learns english now.

Regional accents perhaps? Perhaps in some places, the two words aren't pronounced distinctly?


That's my problem.

For some reason, 'then' and 'than' are the same word to me. >.<

This means I have to sit and think for about five minutes everytime I use one of them now. It's really annoying.

The evolution of any language dictates that common usage becomes proper usage. Eventually. Even books less then 40 years old have outdated rules that seem absolutely silly to anyone who learns english now.

I don't think common usage becomes proper usage, at least not in a time period of 40 years.

The evolution of any language dictates that common usage becomes proper usage. Eventually. Even books less then 40 years old have outdated rules that seem absolutely silly to anyone who learns english now.
*cries into pillow*

I don't think common usage becomes proper usage, at least not in a time period of 40 years.
Where on earth did my copy of strunk and white go off to...


Ah, yes. Strunk condemns the words "prioritize, [and] finalize" as "abominations", and yet...

Where on earth did my copy of strunk and white go off to...


Ah, yes. Strunk condemns the words "prioritize, [and] finalize" as "abominations", and yet...

Unlike then and than, prioritize and finalize are fairly new words. New words come into the formal language on a regular basis. Isn't that how the language evolves?

Unlike then and than, prioritize and finalize are fairly new words. New words come into the formal language on a regular basis. Isn't that how the language evolves?
And other words get co-opted into other definitions. Like "transpired". Why not then/than?

And other words get co-opted into other definitions. Like "transpired". Why not then/than?

And "gay?"

And "gay?"
What about it? I don't think anyone objects to the usage of gay to mean homosexual anymore... (not that some object to the usage as offensive, that's another issue)

What about it? I don't think anyone objects to the usage of gay to mean homosexual anymore... (not that some object to the usage as offensive, that's another issue)

Only another example of a word whose meaning has changed. Nothing more or less.