Use of "than what" correct?

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

Moderator: Alan

Locked
sylviamills
Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:38 am
Status: Learner of English

Use of "than what" correct?

Post by sylviamills »

Hello, I have got another question, would you please be so kind as to help me with it?

I hear people use a "comparison" which I don't find in the grammar books. For example:

--> He is more interested in the subject than WHAT you thought.
Wouldn't it rather be: He is more interested in the subject than you thought (he was)? Why is WHAT used?

--> He is not as interested in the subject as WHAT you thought.
Here the same, isn't it correct to say: He is as interested in the subject as you thought (he was)?

Is there a difference in the meaning or is one "bad language"?

Thank you very much for your kind help!
User avatar
Alan
Teacher/Moderator
Teacher/Moderator
Posts: 15204
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:56 pm
Status: Teacher of English
Location: Japan

Re: Use of "than what" correct?

Post by Alan »

Nonstandard.

--> more interested (etc.) than you thought.
Locked