Greater than VS more than

[cesar.rodriguez.blanco]

In the page 233, CH10 of the 3rd edition SC book it says:
"Numbers is possible in a few contexts. If you wish to make a comparison, use GREATER THAN, not MORE THAN (which might imply that the quantity of numbers is larger, not the numbers themselves)."

I do not understand this difference in meaning. Could any instructor explain the difference giving examples?
Thanks!

[StaceyKoprince]

"Numbers" is VERY rarely used correctly, so I wouldn't spend too much time on this topic.

The wording is a little tricky there. First, the distinction between a quantity of numbers vs. the numbers themselves. Let's substitute the word "bills" (as in money). The number of bills in my wallet has increased - does that mean that the actual value of the money has increased? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe I had one $100 bill before and have two $5 bills now. Similarly, there's a difference between talking about the number of numbers you have (say, there are 5 numbers in a set, and those 5 numbers are 1, 2, 4, 6, 8), and the value of those numbers. If I want to something is increasing here, I have to word it correctly to make clear whether I'm talking about the number of numbers in the set increasing (there are now 6 numbers in the set: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 9) or the value of the numbers (there are still only 5 numbers, but the numbers are now 2, 6, 9, 12, 14). See the problem?

So, we just need to remember that, when using "numbers" in a comparison, we should use "greater than" (not "more than") to make very clear that we're talking about the actual numbers themselves increasing, not the "number of numbers" in a possible set.

As I said, it's very rare to see "numbers" at all on the test, let alone used correctly - so don't worry about it too much!

[cesar.rodriguez.blanco]

Nice explanation!!

[Ben Ku]

I'm glad it helped!

[vineetbatra]

Hello Stacey,

Can you please explain using the following question, OG Verbal 72

[Moderator: Deleted because the OG is a banned source; it is illegal to post OG questions anywhere on the web. If you are in one of our classes, please ask OG questions during office hours or before/after class.]

Also, can you give an example of a sentence, where we will use More Than instead of Greater Than

Thanks

[Ben Ku]

it is illegal to post OG questions anywhere on the web. If you are in one of our classes, please ask OG questions during office hours or before/after class.