Booher's Rules of Business Grammar - Dianna Booher 2009

“She’s taller than me”
Pesky pronouns: The understudies

PRONOUNS AFTER THAN

Want to burn off an extra pound while we’re talking about height? Hang on a minute.

Which is correct?

We order supplies from Continental more often than them.

We order supplies from Continental more often than they.

Actually, both are correct. But the two sentences have different meanings. The first sentence means, “We order supplies from Continental more often than we order from them.” The second sentence means, “We order supplies from Continental more often than they order from Continental.”

To make the correct pronoun choice after than or as, insert the omitted words and your ears will do the rest. Which of the next two sentences is correct?

Ziggy knows more about politics than me.

Ziggy knows more about politics than I.

Either: “Ziggy knows more about politics than I (know).” Or “Ziggy knows more about politics than (she knows about) me.” Again, in this case, either sentence could be correct in a given context. The grammar dictates the meaning.

In the following sentences, which is correct?

She tabulates more calls than we.

She tabulates more calls than us.

You’re right again: “She tabulates more calls than we (do).” Of these last two sentences, only the first is correct. The second sentence can mean only “She tabulates more calls than she tabulates us”—nonsensical.

If in doubt about this particular construction, go ahead and say the missing word or two aloud either after or before the than, and the correct pronoun will become apparent.

Memory tip

Repeat this rhyme: Before or after than, understand that there’s a span of missing words.