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Discussion » Questions » Language » Is correct to say, "He is better than they" or "He is better than them?"

Is correct to say, "He is better than they" or "He is better than them?"

Help me out Randy!

Posted - July 5, 2018

Responses


  • 32527

    They
      July 5, 2018 6:32 PM MDT
    1

  • 10029
    There's an easy trick for this one.  

    The verb in your sentence is "is". Add the plural form (are) to your sentence, and you have your answer. 

    He is better than they are or He is better than them are? 
      July 5, 2018 7:19 PM MDT
    2

  • 845
    Or, "He is better than them." because the word "than" is functioning as a preposition and the objective pronoun "them" is the object of the preposition.

    It can be viewed either way.
      October 25, 2019 3:49 PM MDT
    1

  • 7280
    There is only one correct answer---and it's "they." 

    In this case, than is introducing the second element in a comparison; and is therefore functioning as a conjunction and not a preposition.

    The sentence is actually "He is better than they (are better) where are better is understood.

    Just like when someone writes "Look," the subject of the sentence is understood to be "You"---as in (You) look.

    They is the subject of the verb (are). This post was edited by tom jackson at October 25, 2019 4:43 PM MDT
      October 25, 2019 4:36 PM MDT
    0