thenのスペル変化から、18世紀に2つの異なる単語になり始め、語彙の分化につながった。例えば、A is bigger than B.本来の意味は、A is bigger, then B.である。
英語の語源
than
than: [OE] Than is ultimately the same word as then, and the two were used interchangeably until the end of the 17th century. It is not clear how the adverb came to be used as a conjunction denoting comparison, although it is possible that the comparison implicit in expressions like ‘This one is better; then there is that one’ may have led on to ‘This one is better than that one’. => then
than (conj.)
Old English tan, conjunctive particle used after a comparative adjective or adverb, from tanne, t?nne, tonne "then" (see then). Developed from the adverb then, and not distinguished from it by spelling until c. 1700.
The earliest use is in West Germanic comparative forms introducing the second member, i.e. bigger than (compare Dutch dan, German denn), which suggests a semantic development from the demonstrative sense of then: A is bigger than B, evolving from A is bigger, then ("after that") B. Or the word may trace to Old English tonne "when, when as," such as "When as" B is big, A is more (so).
例文
1. Their replies were no more than grunts of acknowledgement.
彼らのいわゆる回答は承認を示すつぶやきにすぎない。
2.She 's got a great voice and is singing better than ever.
彼女の声はとても良く、今の歌唱力はいつにも増して優れている。
3.The plane has been kept in service far longer than originally intended.
この飛行機は長い間服役していた。
4.Jovial ladies chivy you into ordering more than you can eat！
情熱的なレセプションが何度も勧められ、最後に注文した食事は食べられないほど多かった！
5.Father had no more than a superficial knowledge of music.