Can You Start A Sentence With Than?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you start a sentence with than? Yes, you can start a sentence with then . However, the clause that begins with then should go last: She asked, “Could I have a drink of your water?” I said, “No, you can’t.” Then she walked away.

What words can you not start a sentence with?

Words that can and can’t be used to begin a sentence: And, because, it .

How can I use than in a sentence?

Than is used in comparisons as a conjunction (as in “she is younger than I am”) and as a preposition (“he is taller than me”) . Then indicates time. It is used as an adverb (“I lived in Idaho then”), noun (“we’ll have to wait until then”), and adjective (“the then-governor”).

What can I start a sentence with and other than?

Can a paragraph start with then?

Yes, you can . In the first paragraph, omit the comma after “a year later” – or put commas before and after the phrase. In the second paragraph, a comma after “Then” would be better.

What 3 words should you never start a sentence with?

Never begin a sentence—or a clause—with also. Teach the elimination of but, so, and, because, at the beginning of a sentence. A sentence should not commence with the conjunctions and, for, or however ....

Is it OK to start a sentence with a preposition?

It’s always fine to start a sentence with a preposition and also to end a sentence. Both of them are stylistic choices for writers. When you use a prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence, the only decision to make is when to add a comma.

What type of verb is than?

Grammatically speaking, than is used as a conjunction or preposition , while then is used as an adverb or adjective.

Is it better than or then?

The best trick to remember the difference between than and then is to focus on the letters that are different – ‘a’ and ‘e’. Than is used for comparison, and both than and comparison have the letter ‘a’ in their spellings. Then is used for time, and both then and time have the letter ‘e’ in their spellings.

What type of conjunction is than?

after since when because than whereas before that wherever but that though whether if though which

Is it incorrect to start a sentence with a conjunction?

There is nothing wrong with starting sentences with “and,” “but,” or other similar conjunctions . You may, however, encounter people who mistakenly believe that starting a sentence with a conjunction is an error, so consider your audience when deciding to structure your sentences this way.

What’s the best way to start a sentence?

  1. Consider your central theme. Before you get started constructing a sentence, consider what your essential point is. ...
  2. Examine the previous sentence. ...
  3. Use transition words. ...
  4. Use a preposition. ...
  5. Try a subject opener. ...
  6. Try a clausal opener. ...
  7. Use an “ing” word. ...
  8. Use an “ed” word.

What words can I start a sentence with?

  • First . . ., Second . . ., Third . . ., etc.
  • Next . . .
  • Then . . .
  • Subsequently . . .
  • After that . . .
  • Afterwards . . .
  • Eventually . . .
  • Later . . .

Do I need a comma after then?

When “then” is used as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence, however, a comma should be introduced following it . A comma after “then” is also necessary when it is preceded by a semicolon. Additionally, if “then’ is used as a conjunction, placing a comma after it is not considered to be grammatically correct.

Do you use a comma before then?

It’s fine to write “and then” as you did in your first sentence. If you leave out and, add a comma before then : “He got a DUI, then resisted arrest.”

What part of speech is then?

Grammatically speaking, then is used as an adverb or adjective , while than is used as a conjunction or preposition.

How do you avoid starting a sentence?

  1. Start with a word ending in ‘ing’. e.g. Opening the door, he stepped into the dark. ...
  2. Start with a preposition (so a prepositional phrase). ...
  3. Start with an adverb. ...
  4. Begin with a subordinating conjunction (so a subordinate clause). ...
  5. Write a passive sentence i.e. object + verb.

Can you replace but with however?

One common replacement for “but” in academic writing is “however.” But we use this adverb to show a sentence contrasts with something previously said. As such, rather than connecting two parts of a sentence, it should only be used after a semicolon or in a new sentence: I like Brian May’s guitar solos.

Why do people start sentences with no but?

Some people use these words to gain power . And, you’ll see how much people resent it, consciously or not, and how it stifles rather than opens up discussions. I use this technique with my clients. Practically without even thinking, I keep count of their use of these three little words.

What is a preposition start example?

Preposition Basics

A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. Some examples of prepositions are words like “in,” “at,” “on,” “of,” and “to.”

What are preposition words list?

About Above After At Below Down For From Into On Over Since To Under Up

What is an introductory phrase?

An introductory clause or phrase acts as a qualifying or clarifying statement about the main sentence . Think of it as an addition to the main thought of a sentence. The introductory language is usually a dependent statement (see section A above).

What type of preposition is than?

Than is a grammatical particle analyzed as both a conjunction and a preposition in the English language. It introduces a comparison and is associated with comparatives and with words such as more, less, and fewer.

Can than be used as a preposition?

In short, you can use than either as a conjunction or as a preposition .

What pronoun is used after than?

“They” is a subject pronoun and is the grammatically correct form of the pronoun to use to begin the clause after “than.” Because the verb “are” directly follows the pronoun, it means the pronoun must be in the subject form.

Is it later then or later than?

Is it no later than or then? No later than is an adverb phrase that specifies a time at which something will happen . No later then is a mistake based on the homophones than and then.

Is it rather then or rather than?

Than is used to form comparisons between two things. So correct option is “ Rather than “. Is rather than is present and rather then mean it already happy it depend on the sentence then is past and than is present.

Is it more than or then?

more than . More than is a phrasal preposition. Use it when referring to an amount of something that is greater than another amount. More then cannot be used as a phrasal preposition.

Is it correct to say than I or than me?

Which is correct smarter than I or smarter than me?

Smarter than me is the most common form in spoken language and also the second most common one in English literature, so it can hardly be considered wrong. Don’t be afraid to use it. That’s just how the language developed. Smarter than I has been traditionally understood as a short way of saying “smarter than I am”.

Is better than me grammatically correct?

In written English, especially in a formal document such as a business letter or a school assignment, most native speakers believe that the subject pronouns I, he, she, we, and they are correct after than. Therefore, if you want to sound educated and correct, it is safer to use “better than I.”

Is it OK to start a sentence with subordinating conjunction?

Can I start a sentence with however?

However may be used to begin a sentence , it can be used in conjunction with but, and you can place it pretty much anywhere you want in a sentence, so long as you do so with care.

Can a sentence begin with a coordinating conjunction?

It’s Fine to Start a Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction . “And,” “but,” and “or” are the three most common members of a group of words known as coordinating conjunctions.

What are the 7 sentence openers?

Used at the beginning of a sentence, these words signal to you that a sentence opener follows: After, Although, As, Because, Before, If, Since, Unless, Until, When, While .

What are 7 ways to start a sentence?

  • Adjective (a word that modifies a noun) ...
  • Adverb (a word that modifies a verb) ...
  • Prepositional phrase (a phrase that starts with a preposition) ...
  • Infinitive phrase. ...
  • Gerund phrase. ...
  • Participle phrase. ...
  • Adverb clause.
Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.