This is too funny. Mr. Coren is "mightily pissed off" because a sub-editor has dared make a change to his writing, yet Mr. Coren himself doesn't appear to be a paragon of correct usage. Apart from the fact he doesn’t seem to believe the pronoun I should be capitalized, he appears to be confused about the proper usage of the word *than.* Compare these two sentences written by Mr. Coren: “I do not enjoy the suggestion that you have a better ear or eye for how I want my words to read than I do.” “I am insulted enough that you think you have a better ear for English than me.” Now let’s see what some experts think: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/conjunctions.htm “Generally, the only question about than arises when we have to decide whether the word is being used as a conjunction or as a preposition. If it's a preposition (and Merriam-Webster's dictionary provides for this usage), then the word that follows it should be in the object form. • He's taller and somewhat more handsome than me. • Just because you look like him doesn't mean you can play better than him. Most careful writers, however, will insist that than be used as a conjunction; it's as if part of the clause introduced by than has been left out: • He's taller and somewhat more handsome than I [am handsome]. • You can play better than he [can play]. In formal, academic text, you should probably use than as a conjunction and follow it with the subject form of a pronoun (where a pronoun is appropriate).” Notice that the expert states "Most careful writers, however, will insist that than be used as a conjunction; it's as if part of the clause introduced by than has been left out.” Perhaps a "careful writer" like Mr. Coren should heed that advice. Another expert states: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010316.html “… than is usually construed as a conjunction, with part of the dependent clause omitted. "We are better than they" is really an abbreviation of "we are better than they are" (which is why we properly say they rather than them.)” But one must keep this in mind (from a link I believe you yourself provided sometime ago, Mr. Akin): http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/05/12/99-grammar/ “White people love rules. It explains why so they get upset when people cut in line, why they tip so religiously and why they become lawyers. But without a doubt, the rule system that white people love the most is grammar. It is in their blood not only to use perfect grammar but also to spend significant portions of time pointing out the errors of others.” P.S. It’s “cri DE coeur” ;-)