Than vs. Then

[AnotherHiggins]

In reading another thread I noticed the following phrase being used as an example:
This way never takes me longer then the other way...

I was going to ignore it and chalk it up as a typo, but then another member repeated it later in the thread. Is anyone else bothered by the use of 'then' rather than 'than'?

I'd offer this rule of thumb:
Then refers to time
Than is used to compare or contrast objects.

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[SilentAiche]

Janie,

Welcome to Tek-Tips!!

I've been told I'm not a "newbie" since I've been here about six months. Not sure if I believe it...

I genuinely hope you'll stay. This really is a cool community, and the real wizards hereabouts are remarkably generous with their knowledge.

I first found this place when I had a technical question, but I fell in love with it when I realized it had a "social" aspect. I have (ask anyone, seriously) posted some truly dumb things, sometimes answering innocent posts where my "thin skin" let me be too easily insulted. You know what happened? Those who might have "offended" me said things like, Tim, no offense was intended, here's what I meant: >>>>>> And then they explained. I generally felt stupid, of course, but they always made me feel better. Internet communication is inherently problematic- we can't see each other's body language, facial expressions, etc. Some leeway is required. Trust me, the folks around here are remarkable.

By the way, I had a grandmother who died before I was born who was named Janie, so I guess I'm a bit biased in my opinion. Please stay - you'll be glad you did.

Tim

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[DrJavaJoe]

Yes, Tim is always posting TRULY DUMB THINGS.




Two strings walk into a bar. The first string says to the bartender: 'Bartender, I'll have a beer. u.5n$x5t?*&4ru!2[sACC~ErJ'. The second string says: 'Pardon my friend, he isn't NULL terminated'.

 

[tsdragon]

Janie: I'll forgive you for the crack about my not paying attention in English class if you'll forgive us. Deal?

[white]It's not much of a deal - I've already gotten over the English class thing. I really DIDN'T pay as much attention as I should have, and it SHOWS when the heavy duty grammar discussions start.[/white]

Tracy Dryden

Meddle not in the affairs of dragons,
For you are crunchy, and good with mustard.

 

[tygressjanie]

SilentAiche: Thank you for your kind words. I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. Jane is actually my middle name (I was called Janie when I was little), but I had a great-aunt, my grandmother's sister, who was named Jane, and my dad insisted on naming me after her because he was very fond of her.

Tracy: forgiven.

 

[SilentAiche]

Jane,

I was really glad to hear back from you.

As to your very kind words, I was one of those amazingly fortunate kids who went thru school (1st Grade thru College) with the same best friend. My buddy grew up with a terrific relationship with his grandparents, which I never completely understood.

My Dad's parents died before he ever met my Mom, so I never knew them except in name; my Mom's folks died when I was four and six (too young to understand anything more complicated than peanuts, which GrandDad always brought when he came to visit.

All this is way off track- what I meant to say was, Welcome. Please hang out for a bit, read anything you find interesting, and post your own thoughts when it seems appropriate.

Tim

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[tygressjanie]

SilentAiche: Well, I can't say I got to fully experience the grandparent experience either. One set was always halfway across the country and I never met my other grandfather, he passed away long before I was born. So I guess I understand where you're coming from. Also, my dad passed away when I was only 6 so I didn't get to know him that well either....actually, it's funny that you should mention peanuts, lol, that's about all I remember that my dad liked because that's what he would eat a lot on our long trips together when he was a truck driver. Very ironic; your mentioning that makes me feel like he's trying to almost talk through you to let me know he's with me, especially with the whole name thing. Very bizzare.

Well, at any rate, if I can help you out with anything, I'll sure try !

 

[swtrader]

re: post about alright or all right....

as a native Texan, I can confirm that 'awright' is the accepted spoken form...

 

[SilentAiche]

Janie,

Sorry, but unless you really object, that name feels best to me.

I was sorry to hear you lost your Dad at such a young age - certainly I make no comparison between a six year old without grandparents and a six year old without her father.

My neices are having the exact opposite grandparent experience (which I'm so thankful for): they have two full sets of grandparents withing about 10 miles in either direction of their home.

I'm very lucky in most regards. This month my family will celebrate by Dad's 80th birthday, and my Mom will be there. Their 44th anniversary is the same week. Amazing. (My Dad cleans up in June with Father's Day, Birthday and Anniversary, usually in the same week...)

BTW- your post yesterday was one of the coolest things I've ever read. Bizarre indeed.

Tim

P.S. - I suspect your Dad IS with you. Take care.

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[SilentAiche]

TRULY DUMB THINGS

Testing my "Thin Skin," are ya, Joe? Actually, probably not, but the bold print and all-caps did get my attention.

Well, I concluded you were looking for an Anagram, thus, just to prove I really stink at these, I offer the following:

BURLY NIGHTS DUMT, or

DUMTY NIGHTS BLUR.


er, Robert.

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[tygressjanie]

Tim: glad you liked my post, lol. Another funny one for you, you said your dad has his birthday and father's day in June...my GRANDPA has that, lol. Very bizzare similarities as well as dissimilarities here

My two nieces are within about ten miles of my mom (their grandma) so they're close as well, however, they actually just moved across country to be there so it hasn't always been that way. Their other grandparents, which they moved away from, aren't that great to be around. They are very mean and vindictive towards them because they don't like my sister, so they're not worth the "grandparent" experience.

But at any rate, I guess I'm not too sure what else to say I hope your weekend is going well!

 

[DrJavaJoe]

Two strings walk into a bar. The first string says to the bartender: 'Bartender, I'll have a beer. u.5n$x5t?*&4ru!2[sACC~ErJ'. The second string says: 'Pardon my friend, he isn't NULL terminated'.

 

[SilentAiche]

Nurse Lava Flow,

A smilie? That's all the explanation I git? Keep it up and I'll keep messing with your handle....

Tim

[blue]just kidding, my friend - have a great weekend.[/blue]

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