I read a newspaper and found a title as follows:
We're finally better off than before the recession: Average household now has £24,300 in disposable income each year.
Only about half of Americans think they’re better off than before Obama took office.
What does "than before" mean in these sentence? Does it mean, for instance, "before Obama took office, half of Americans think they are not better off"?
Best Answer
In this particular example, 'than before' is a shortened form of 'than they were before.'
NOTE: The example statement tells nothing about what the other half thinks. Some of the other half may well have no opinion and assumptions about what they think are invalid.