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Kukurykus
Kukurykus
Legend
September 8, 2018
Answered

then/than branched from Select more then one element for mask?

  • September 8, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 3655 views

Why do you use 'then' instead of 'than' word. I noticed in chats with people they do it constantly, so not just single time by mistake but each time there is need to use 'than' word. However I don't speak english well that little change sounds terrible. Is there something about this language I don't know I should use 'then' instad of 'than' like others?

I never noticed anyone says 'Thenk You' but always 'Thank You'. It's little different as there's not 'thenk' word; still it's similar.

What is really wired, Google Translator although distinguishes single use of 'then' and 'than', if 'then' is used in sentence it translates it like that was correct 'than'. Even machine like human got the same tendency or in some contries that's good?

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer Abambo

      This is OT, but here is your answer: Then vs. Than: What’s the Difference? - Writing Explained

      However, a lot of (non native?) writers are using then/than often incorrectly, me included (sic!).

      4 replies

      jane-e
      Community Expert
      jane-eCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 9, 2018

      I rely on two favorite books by Theodore Bernstein that I bought many years ago:

      The Careful Writer

      The Careful Writer: Theodore M. Bernstein: Amazon.com: Books

      and

      Dos, Don'ts & Maybes of English Usage

      Do's Don'ts and Maybes of English Language: Theodore Menline Bernstein: 9780812906950: Amazon.com: Books

      Theodore Bernstein

      TM. Bernstein Dies; Language Authority And Ex‐Times Editor - The New York Times

      jane-e
      Community Expert
      jane-eCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 9, 2018

      Here's another thought, though:

      While I love the nuances of the meanings of words, I am very aware that before Webster wrote his dictionary, the meanings (and spellings) of words were fluid. He did not dictate the spellings and definitions; he wrote them as they were at that moment.

      Should the definitions and spellings be static just because one man decided to write a dictionary? Maybe not. I've seen several words change meaning over the years. I think my favorite is watching the definition of "literal" morph into "figurative".

      lit·er·al·ly

      ˈlidərəlē,ˈlitrəlē/adverb

      1. adverb: in a literal manner or sense; exactly.
        "the driver took it literally when asked to go straight across the traffic circle"
      2. informal: used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true.
        "I have received literally thousands of letters"

      To me, it is more important to be kind than to use the right word and spell it correctly.

        Kukurykus
        KukurykusAuthor
        Legend
        September 9, 2018

        "I've seen several words change meaning over the years." & "(...) be kind than to use the right word and spell it correctly."

        I agree, but there was nothing unkind in my question as like I said before I asked that for informative reason - to get to know for ex. is there maybe chance 'then' is already accepted form for 'than' (regarding that you and me actually as well noticed in our posts that some words changes meaning). Too bad altough I explained that even more, the original poster of other theard (where that all started) didn't want to admit she was wrong, impulsively believing in own version. I do not expect anything, if she choose to be unkind to me then she can be, at least I showed enough there's no reason for bad feelings.

        Abambo
        Community Expert
        AbamboCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 8, 2018

        branched from Select more then one element for mask?

        Discussion successfully moved from Photoshop to The Lounge

        ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
        JJMack
        Community Expert
        JJMackCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 8, 2018

        IMO English is very hard. It is my native language the only language I know somewhat.  I failed every English course I had to take in school.  I also can not spell well or even be consistent spelling the same word wrongly.  I can not touch type and often peck the wrong key normally one key off.  All my life I had to cope with my failure in these area.  Planet Earth is not a perfect world human minds are not one massive single conscience. I'm sure even the best mind makes mistakes and does not know all there is to know.  One thing I'm very good at is making mistakes. I may have mastered that skill.  I'm always in error recovery.     You are an expert when it come to JavaScript programming.   I only hack at Photoshop and I wrote I find your code very hard to understand because of you advanced coding style.  Communication is not easy  you communicate with computers better than I do.  You need to lighten up with human communication you will not be able to perfect human communication.   I will not do chat except nt Phone I can not type. If I believe my problem may be easy  I may try  chatting on a computer via type.  The then I'll just try my best in forums.  If I can live with my limitations others need to also If they want to communicate with me.  I do quite well with Photoshop.

        I work for IBM Research for many years and met the lead programmer doing research on spelling checkers.  I ask him for some help to add routine to check to typo that may be only one key off and also check if work spelt wrong may be spelled by the way sounds.   He was not interested in helping me his program kept giving me a message there is no likely word.  Spell checker need to work on more then just one words.  Typo also often spell valid words that are completely wrong in the current context  such a routine would catch then and than if it knew the English language and grammar.  I find grammar checker intrusive I just make too many mistakes.... I'm slow now as it is....

        Your coding irritates me I have to dig hard

        JJMack
          Abambo
          Community Expert
          AbamboCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          September 8, 2018

          English is easy compared to French and German. Russia adds some level more to the complexity and Chinese is impossiple to gasp if you are not native (I do not know Russia and Chinese but I have some basics as I typeset both languages and I have obvioiusly Chinese and Russian collegues).

          But this does not mean that everyone needs to be able to write or read or even speak English perfectly. Looking English TV (news), I undestand what they are saying, but looking an English (American) film, I need to concentrate a lot. It‘s easyer for me in French or German.

          For some reason you are MVP and that means that you give valuable advice. As this advice is with typing, I also suppose that you need to write a bunch of good advice. If there is a typing mistake: who cares if the user gets help.

          ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
            Abambo
            Community Expert
            AbamboCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
            Community Expert
            September 8, 2018

            This is OT, but here is your answer: Then vs. Than: What’s the Difference? - Writing Explained

            However, a lot of (non native?) writers are using then/than often incorrectly, me included (sic!).

            ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
              Kukurykus
              KukurykusAuthor
              Legend
              September 8, 2018

              I read a little that article but it is ridiculous to explain people difference between these wrods.

              I wonder if people also say to others hey gays instead of hey guys, and it's stil acceptable?

              I also noticed Ps scripting language is not better. There are many keywords Ps use interchangeably and still everything is working. For ex. 'green' can be used in functions instead of 'green' and vece versa. Now I don't care about that, but 'then' instaed of 'than' irritates me btw I noticed that rather native writers do it more often :/

              Abambo
              Community Expert
              AbamboCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              September 8, 2018

              Kukurykus  wrote

              I read a little that article but it is ridiculous to explain people difference between these wrods.

              Don‘t tell that an English teacher.

              ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
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