He wasn't any taller than Jane

[Seiichi Myoga]

I'd like you to take a look at this.

(1) For example, 'He wasn't any taller than Jane' means the same as 'He was no taller than Jane.' (Collins Cobuild English Grammar p.99)

Does 'He wasn't any taller than Jane' mean (2) or (3)?

(2) His height was the same as Jane's.
(3) His height was the same as or less than Jane's.

Thank you in advance
Seiichi MYOGA

[Alan]

Hi,

Does 'He wasn't any taller than Jane' mean (2) or (3)?

(2) His height was the same as Jane's.
(3) His height was the same as or less than Jane's.

I think this would be said to indicate that there was very little difference in their two heights.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Seiichi Myoga]

Dear Alan,

I do appreciate your help and comments.

Collins Cobuild English Usage says "For example, instead of saying 'She isn't taller than her sister' , you say 'She is no taller than her sister."(p.435)

I had wondered if the presence of "any" might affect the reading of the whole sentence, or if "no taller" may be ambiguous.

Seiichi MYOGA

In Japan, we learn 'She is no taller than her sister' means 'She is exactly as tall as her sister' and if 'her sister' is known to be actually small, then we can say 'She is as small as her sister.' I don't know who first said something like this, but this is the very understanding we are expected to 'acquire.'

[Molly]

What do you make of these, Seeichi MOYAGA and Alan?

She is now five-years-old, but she isn't any taller than Billy, who is 3-years-old.

Even in her high-heels, she isn't any taller than Marvin.

[Molly]

[Jctgf]

hi,
can I say "he was as tall as jane"?
thanks.

[Molly]