standard rule for using greater than Vs more than

[I]

Are there any standard rules for choosing between greater than and more than?

[StaceyKoprince]

I assume you're talking about grammar rules? I'll move this to the general verbal section - make sure to post in the appropriate section next time.

"greater than" is used for uncountable nouns. "more than" is typically used for countable nouns (though you can also say something like "She likes Sam more than Amy" - but that construction doesn't show up much on the test).

So: "The population density of calico cats in San Francisco is greater than three per square mile" (here, the word we're describing is "density," which is not a countable noun - you wouldn't say "1 density, 2 densities, 3 densities...")

vs: "I have more calico cats living in my home than you do." (here, we're describing "cats," which is a countable noun because you would say "1 cat, 2 cats, 3 cats...")

[I]

Stacey,
Then how come it is used differently on this question
http://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/post6511.html

Thanks for your help.

[Guest]

Please clarify

[RonPurewal]

the best rule i've found is to test the legitimacy of placing "greater" BEFORE the noun (i.e., as an adjective), vs. the legitimacy of placing "more" BEFORE the noun (i.e., as an adjective). if it works as an adjective, then it should also work in the construction you're describing here.

in this problem, which i'm sure is the problem that prompted your query in the first place, you can clear up the issue of "numbers are greater than..." vs. "numbers are more than..." by doing this inversion:

the gyrfalcon has greater numbers --> this is ok
the gyrfalcon has more numbers --> this doesn't make sense

therefore, "greater" is the preferred version.

try this if you ever run into this issue again; it will almost certainly work.

[divineacclivity]

[Edited to replace BirdA with BirdsA so as to make it sound plural]
Ron,

Thank you very much for your wonderful explanations always.

I have a follow-up query on this particular kind of comparison:
The comparison of more and greater triggers the following question in my mind:
Are the following sentences correct?

1) A pen costs more than a pencil.
2) The cost of a pen is greater than that of a pencil.
3) BirdsA are more numerous than birdsB in countryX.
4) BirdsA are more in number than birdsB in country.
5) BirdsA are more than birdsB in country.

Please explain your answer(s).
Thank you very much in advance.

the best rule i've found is to test the legitimacy of placing "greater" BEFORE the noun (i.e., as an adjective), vs. the legitimacy of placing "more" BEFORE the noun (i.e., as an adjective). if it works as an adjective, then it should also work in the construction you're describing here.

in this problem, which i'm sure is the problem that prompted your query in the first place, you can clear up the issue of "numbers are greater than..." vs. "numbers are more than..." by doing this inversion:

the gyrfalcon has greater numbers --> this is ok
the gyrfalcon has more numbers --> this doesn't make sense

therefore, "greater" is the preferred version.

try this if you ever run into this issue again; it will almost certainly work.

Thank you very much for your wonderful explanation as always.
I meant to convey birds in plural only, so, I've that changed my previous post to "birds A/B".
I get your point; thanks a tonne.

[RonPurewal]

#1 and #2 are ok.

#3 is ok if you change "bird A/B" to plural forms (since you wrote "are").

#4 is redundant.

You're unlikely to see #5 ("x is more than y") in any official sentences.
The following usages are ok:
"- "Besides y, there are additional components to x" (Human thought is more than information processing; it also incorporates emotions and intuition at every step.)
"- "...is more than [adjective/description]" (This apartment building is more than 100 years old.)
If x and y are quantities, you'll see "x is greater than y".

[divineacclivity]

#1 and #2 are ok.

#3 is ok if you change "bird A/B" to plural forms (since you wrote "are").

#4 is redundant.

You're unlikely to see #5 ("x is more than y") in any official sentences.
The following usages are ok:
"- "Besides y, there are additional components to x" (Human thought is more than information processing; it also incorporates emotions and intuition at every step.)
"- "...is more than [adjective/description]" (This apartment building is more than 100 years old.)
If x and y are quantities, you'll see "x is greater than y".

Thank you very much Ron for your impressive explanations as always. I meant to convey birds in plural; for better clarity, I've changed 'birdA/B' to 'birdsA/B'.
I get you point; thanks a bunch.

[RonPurewal]

Sure.

[rohit.manglik]

Hi Stacey/Ron,

Can we say that Percentage, Amount and NumberS should have greater than; and Number and Double should have more than? Also "times" in itself doesn't determine the usage of "More than" and "greater than".

Thanks in Advance

[RonPurewal]

https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/foru ... ml#p117487

[RonPurewal]

'number' is a numerical quantity, so it will normally take the same sorts of modifiers as would 'percentage', 'amount', etc.

[ZHANGH946]

Hi， Ron . I am sorry I am not a native English speakers and I can not understand why
" the gyrfalcon has greater numbers" is ok
but" the gyrfalcon has more numbers " doesn't make sense

Please explain your answer(s).
Thank you very much in advance

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

Check out this thread and write a question there if it's still not clear:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/foru ... html#p6303