rather than, etc.

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

Please read the following sentences:

1. A man is rich according to what he IS,________ according to what he HAS.

a. not b. rather than

The key is "a". However, I think both "a" and "b" . Is that right?

2. My dreams have come true not _________ my handicaps but, perhaps, because of them.

a. in spite of b. regardless of c. in connection with
The key is "a". The structure of the sentence, to me, is rare. Is it grammatical right?

3. I have learned that dreams are never destroyed by circumstances; dreams are born in the heart and mind, and only there_____.

a. can they never die b. can they ever die
I made the wrong choice by choosing "a". The key is "b". I have some difficulty understanding this sentence. Could you please make the sentence easier so that I can understand it?

4. While the difficult takes time, the impossible just takes a little longer.

Could you please explain the meaning of this sentence?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[Casiopea]

1b. is awkward. The problem is related to meaning.
2a. is grammatical.
3a. "can they never die" is awkward": can = positive, possible, "never" = negative, [u]im[u]possible.
3b. "can they ever die": can = positive, possible; ever = positive, possible.
4. "difficult" and "impossible" are graded synonyms.

EX: My 1st homework assignment is difficult, so it'll require more time than yesterday's easy assignment.

EX: My 2nd homework assignment is impossible, so it'll require even more time than the 1st assignment. Solving it is going to take a little longer.

[jiang]

Dear Cas,

Thank you very much for your explanation. I guess your "awkward" means incorrect. If so the correct answer should be "b". Is that right?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

Originally Posted by Casiopea

1b. is awkward. The problem is related to meaning.
2a. is grammatical.
3a. "can they never die" is awkward": can = positive, possible, "never" = negative, [u]impossible.
3b. "can they ever die": can = positive, possible; ever = positive, possible.
4. "difficult" and "impossible" are graded synonyms.

[u]EX: My 1st homework assignment is difficult, so it'll require more time than yesterday's easy assignment.

EX: My 2nd homework assignment is impossible, so it'll require even more time than the 1st assignment. Solving it is going to take a little longer.

[Casiopea]

You're most welcome, Jiang.

Originally Posted by jiang

I guess your "awkward" means incorrect. If so the correct answer should be "b". Is that right?

Option 1b, "rather than", is awkward:

1. A man is rich according to what he IS,________ according to what he HAS.

a. not b. rather than

Note that, "rather than" takes a bare infinitive or a nominal. "according to" doesn't fit that requirement.

Read more about the function and distribution of "rather than" here:
http://www.bartleby.com/64/C002/006.html

[jiang]

Dear Cas,
I don't understand your explanation to No.3. According to what you said the key ( can they ever die) is correct. However, the 3b. "can they never die" is awkward": can = positive, possible, "never" = negative, [u]impossible. "can they ever die": can = positive, possible; ever = positive, possible.
Could you please make it easier for me to understand?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

Originally Posted by Casiopea

1b. is awkward. The problem is related to meaning.
2a. is grammatical.
3a. "can they never die" is awkward": can = positive, possible, "never" = negative, [u]impossible.
3b. "can they ever die": can = positive, possible; ever = positive, possible.
4. "difficult" and "impossible" are graded synonyms.
[u]EX: My 1st homework assignment is difficult, so it'll require more time than yesterday's easy assignment.

EX: My 2nd homework assignment is impossible, so it'll require even more time than the 1st assignment. Solving it is going to take a little longer.

[Casiopea]

How about?

. . . and only there can dreams die.
. . . and only these can dreams ever [be able to] die.

[jiang]

Dear Cas,

Thank you so much for your further explanation. I am afraid I have to give this up because it is so difficult to understand. As far as I understand the only difference between the two is that No. 1 is more definite than No.2. But the results are the same, that is dreams can die there. Is that right?

Jiang

Originally Posted by Casiopea

How about?

. . . and only there can dreams die.
. . . and only these can dreams ever [be able to] die.