Diagramming Kipling CAT 2

[Frank Antonson]

You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din! ("Gunga Din")

[Frank Antonson]

[corum]

With all due respect, I can't agree with your diagram, Frank. The reason is this: "than" is a coordinating conjunction. What does it coordinate? Clauses.

[You're a better man] than [I am].

As 'than' links clauses, I would draw the conjunction line between the main verbs.

[Frank Antonson]

You may be right. Perhaps I was a bit hasty. But, isn't "than" rather a correlative conjunction linking "better" with an understood "good"? That is what I was thinking. "Than" by itself doesn't work as a conjunction. What do you think?

[corum]

"good" is not understood by me. Conjunctions can connect words, phrases, clauses. If 'than' connect words, which two words are those? Phrases? Which? 'than' connects clauses, IMO.

[Frank Antonson]

You're a better man than I am (a good man), Gunga Din.

I think that the "than" connects the comparative morpheme of "better" with the understood "good".

[Frank Antonson]

It would be like "You are more intelligent than I am intelligent, Corum".

[corum]

It would be like "You are more intelligent than I am intelligent, Corum".

Or I am better at intellectual posturing than you are good.

I will come back. Now I am thinking.

[corum]

I can't come up with an argument to blow you out of water.

http://www.usingenglish.com/referenc...the+water.html

[Frank Antonson]

You SO remind me of Kondorosi!

It warms my heart.

I always liked the idea of reincarnation.