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Mrs. Bluezette's Grammar Guide
than I or me?
Even well educated people hesitate when it comes to putting an "I"
or a "me" after "than." Actually both are correct, depending on the
meaning you're looking for.
v
Mr. B likes sports a whole lot more than I.
(In other words, Mr. B likes sports more than Mrs. B likes sports.)
or
v
Mr. B likes a good wine more than ME.
(If, indeed, Mr. B likes a good wine more than he likes Mrs. B, then
"me" would be the correct pronoun.)
In the first example sentence "than" is a conjunction.
"I" is the subject of the elliptical clause "I (like sports)."
In the second example sentence, "than" is a preposition.
"Me" is the object of the preposition.
As you saw above, sentence parts, usually verbs, are often left out in
comparisons beginning with "than."
To test for the correct pronoun, complete the sentence in your head.
v
My husband is three years younger than I.
(My husband is three years younger than I "am.")
And if you feel pretentious using the "I" alone, complete the sentence
with the "I am."
