'Better than I' or 'better than me'? This age-old debate often stirs up confusion among language enthusiasts and casual speakers alike. The crux of the matter lies in understanding how we use the word "than"—a term that has been around since before the 12th century, serving as both a conjunction and a preposition.
When you say, "The cat is more determined than I," you're employing a grammatical structure where "than" acts as a subordinating conjunction. Here, it introduces a subordinate clause: "I am to sleep through the cacophony." In this case, it's clear that we're comparing two subjects with an understood verb (am).
On the flip side, when you phrase it as "The cat is more determined than me," you've shifted gears into using “than” as a preposition. Suddenly, there’s no hidden verb; instead, you're making a straightforward comparison without any extra baggage.
This distinction might seem trivial at first glance but can lead to heated discussions among grammar purists who argue for one form over another based on traditional rules set by influential grammarians like Bishop Lowth in the 18th century. He championed strict adherence to what he deemed correct usage—advocating for subject pronouns after “than.” So according to him—and many others—you should always say “taller than I,” not “taller than me.”
Yet here’s where things get interesting: while some cling tightly to these prescriptive rules, everyday speech tells us something different. Many people naturally opt for phrases like “better than me” because they feel more conversational and relatable.
It gets even trickier with other pronouns! For instance, Lowth also insisted that only ‘whom’ should follow ‘than,’ which seems almost archaic today given our evolving language norms.
So why does this matter? Language is fluid—it evolves with us—and embracing its nuances can enrich our communication rather than restrict it. While sticking strictly to grammar rules may impress some listeners or readers (and certainly has its place), allowing ourselves room for flexibility fosters connection and authenticity in conversation.
Next time you find yourself pondering whether it's better to say 'than I' or 'than me,' remember that context matters just as much as correctness.