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I can run faster than _. (1) him (2) he?

Which is correct?

You know more about this than me.

You know more about this than I.

The second sounds unnatural, but I think it is correct because a trailing know is implied.

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Depends in part on what meaning you want. The first is a correct way to say "You know more about this subject than you know about me", and the second correctly says "You know more about this subject than I know about it." – jwpat7 Nov 10 '11 at 20:20

marked as duplicate by RegDwighт♦ Sep 19 '12 at 15:03

This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.

3 Answers

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My guess is both are correct. The first than is used as a preposition while the second one is used as a conjunction.

Note however, to me, the first sentence means you know more about this than you know about me while the second one means you know more about this than I know about this.

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If you meant 'You know more about this than you know about me', then that's what you'd say. In any normal conversation, 'You know more about this than me' can only mean that your knowledge of the subject under discussion is greater than mine. – Barrie England Nov 10 '11 at 20:30
@BarrieEngland I'm not sure. I might have over-analysed the sentence. Thanks for pointing out. – Terry Li Nov 10 '11 at 20:33
@BarrieEngland Wait...how about I like you better than him? Either way seems fine to me. – Terry Li Nov 10 '11 at 20:35
In the sort of conversation in which that is likely to occur the meaning will usually be clear from the context. If it isn't the speakers will sort it out. – Barrie England Nov 10 '11 at 20:43
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Grammar isn't hard. By the age of five, childen have learnt most of the grammar of their native language without effort. What is hard is understanding how grammar works. – Barrie England Nov 10 '11 at 20:50
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up vote 1 down vote

The second sentence is, indeed, the correct one. If in doubt, always try to fill in the missing words - just as you did.

You know more about this than I do/know.

If you don't, your sentences might get misinterpreted. Consider this example

Sara likes cake more than (she likes) me.

or

Sara likes cake more than I (like cake).

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If by that you mean 'You know more about this than me' is incorrect, then it seems from the 'Longman Grammar' evidence (see my answer) that most native speakers are speaking incorrectly. – Barrie England Nov 10 '11 at 20:47
up vote 8 down vote

The first uses than as a preposition having me as its complement. The second uses than as a conjunction to introduce the elliptical clause I (do). ‘The Cambridge Guide to English Usage’ reports that:

Research associated with the Longman Grammar (1999) showed that speakers mostly use than (and as) as prepositions (i.e. with a following object pronoun) and only rarely with a following subject pronoun. Fiction writers make about equal use of the two constructions, while academic writers use neither.

No one need hesitate to say You know more about this than me.

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I have downvoted all the answers and upvoted only yours, because only you got it correct. Great job, Barrie! – Richard Rodriguez Nov 10 '11 at 22:48

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