Clarification of the use of 'than'

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mtbrg

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Hi,
my question is concerning the use of 'than'
For example

I like my mum more than my dad

does this imply that 'I prefer my mum to my dad' or does this mean
I like my mum more than my dad does

Another example
does 'Australia is closer to Asia than America"
mean 'Australia is closer to Asia than it is to America'
or Australia is closer to Asia than America is

Also is saying
'I am more popular in Australia than in Japan'
a perfectly acceptable substitute for 'I am more popular in Australia than I am in Japan'?

Any help would be appreciated
M
 

Rover_KE

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Hi,

I like my mum more than my dad.

Does this imply that 'I prefer my mum to my dad' Yes.

Does 'Australia is closer to Asia than America'
mean 'Australia is closer to Asia than it is to America' Yes.

Also, is saying

'I am more popular in Australia than in Japan'
a perfectly acceptable substitute for 'I am more popular in Australia than I am in Japan'? Yes.

Any help would be appreciated
M

Rover
 

~Mav~

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*** NOT A TEACHER ***

I was wondering about basically the same question, when I found this thread. It seems that it CAN be ambiguous.
According to a native English speaker, "I love you more than anybody else" can mean either that you love several people but this is the one you love most, OR it could mean that you love this person more than anyone else loves this person.
Barb (?) also suggested adding extra words in order to clarify the meaning, while I giggled when reading Clive's practical approach.:lol:
 

Nightmare85

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I was wondering about basically the same question, when I found this thread. It seems that it CAN be ambiguous.
According to a native English speaker, "I love you more than anybody else" can mean either that you love several people but this is the one you love most, OR it could mean that you love this person more than anyone else loves this person.

Yes, it's because the word anybody doesn't get changed.
I love you more than her. -> It's clear that you love both.
I love you more than she (does). -> It's clear that you only love one person.
With your example this is not possible since anybody is always anybody.
("I love you more than anybody else does." would be a good idea, though.)

P.S: Many native speakers would tend to use her even if they meant she :roll:

Cheers!
 
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