Correct TERM?

Question

He is 25 years older than 'HER'

OR

He is 25 years older than 'SHE IS'??

Which is the correct way to say this sentence or are both ways ok?

Youre all saying different things, someone give me the correct answer please.

smart people

Answer 1

The word "than" can be a conjunction (= it joins clauses together) and a preposition (= it joins words together). In the first of the examples above, "than" is a preposition; in the second, a conjunction. The first construction is most commonly used in spoken English; the second, in formal (written) English. The difference between the two terms ("conjunction" and "preposition") is the following:

THAN as a conjunction (main clause + subordinate clause):
He is 25 years older than she (is).
[In other words, we, readers/speakers assume the verb has been omitted; therefore, "than" is joining two sentences together: "he is 25 years older" and "she (is)".]

I know her better than you (do = you know her).
They run faster than we (do= we run).

Since a verb is implied (in each of the examples above), we must use subjective (= I, you, he, she, they, we) personal pronouns.

THAN as a preposition (= two people--"he" and "she"--are being compared, that is, both words are joined together by "than"; there is no implied verb after "her"):

He is 25 years older than her.
[in this case, there is a comparison between "him" and "her"]

[by the way, we say "between him and her" and not "between him and I" because "between" is a preposition that modifies both terms];

after "her", no verb is implied because "her" is an objective pronoun and, as such, it cannot function as subject; only "she" can]

In sum, both constructions are correct. What differs is the syntactical relationship between the words in each of the two examples.

Answer 2

Eg 1: Although he is 25 years older than her, she behaves more maturely.

Eg 2: He is 25 years older than she is, but she acts more maturely.

Both are correct. However I would say Eg 1 appears a better way to frame your sentence.
Both terms are correct because the age between the 2 remains constant, and can be described in both the past or present tense.

Answer 3

Hey, Randy. I'm not sure about the correct terms. I think that there are some that are less insensitive than others, but based on the numerous threads we've had on this subject, I think what constitutes correct adoption language is very subjective. I call myself my children's mother, whether the children entered my family via birth or via adoption. I make the distinction only when having a conversation of adoption (like this forum). We call our children's other mother their "Liberia mom." I am the "American mom". Again, they only use the qualifier when they need to differentiate between which mother they are talking about. That works for us, so we're leaving it at that. I try to refrain from using the term "Birthparent" as it's insulting to some. I've said before that I don't like being referred to as "adopter" or "substitute parent".

Answer 4

He is 25 years older than 'SHE IS'

Answer 5

Both, but the second one is more conversational. In other words that's how we would say it if we were speaking to someone.

Answer 6

Use the word "is" in both sentences and you'll see that "than Her is" is an impossible construction in English, so you must say "than She is."

Answer 7

Both are correct but you don't need "is" in the second one. The verb is understood.

Answer 8

"He is 25 years older than 'HER'

Answer 9

Both are correct.
It needs the clarification that when you are using 'her', it is the objective form of 'she', not the possessive form. Using possessive form (that will also be 'her'), will be wrong.
Hope I could make myself clear.

Answer 10

Both ways are correct. You really can say both and be confident that you are speaking correctly.

You can't say, 'He is older than she' because she needs a verb (to follow).

He is older than me = He is older than I am.
He is older than you = He is older than you are.
He is older than her = He is older than she is.
He is older than us = He is older than we are.
He is older than them = He is older than they are.