Construction of the comparative complement
The comparative object is introduced by:
• than with comparisons of superiority or inferiority,
• as with comparisons of equality.
Note: The comparative object is followed by a construction in the following form: 'Personal Pronoun + Auxiliary verb':
He is taller than me is used and accepted in everyday language.
However He is taller than I am is the more strictly correct construction.
• than with comparisons of superiority or inferiority,
• as with comparisons of equality.
Note: The comparative object is followed by a construction in the following form: 'Personal Pronoun + Auxiliary verb':
He is taller than me is used and accepted in everyday language.
However He is taller than I am is the more strictly correct construction.
You make more mistakes than me is accepted but not absolutely grammatically correct.
You make more mistakes than I do. is completely grammatically correct.
You make more mistakes than I do. is completely grammatically correct.
Your car is bigger than mine. is accepted and even preferred.
Your car is bigger than mine is. is also correct: the repeated auxiliary verb is not needed, but perfectly correct.
Your car is bigger than my car is. is grammatically correct but rarely used.
Your car is bigger than mine is. is also correct: the repeated auxiliary verb is not needed, but perfectly correct.
Your car is bigger than my car is. is grammatically correct but rarely used.
I'm a better surfer than you. is accepted and frequently used.
I'm a better surfer than you are. is grammatically correct.
I'm a better surfer than you are. is grammatically correct.
In certain sentences, the correct choice of pronoun is essential to avoid confusion:
He loves her more than me. He loves somebody else more than he loves me.
He loves her more than I do. He loves her more than I love her.
He loves her more than I do. He loves her more than I love her.
The comparative complement can be an adjective or even an entire clause:
She's more nervous than (she is) scared. Nerves are her main problem, not fear.
This exercise is easier than I thought.
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