A sentence

[nyggus]

Hi,

"The greater gain in the efficiency occurred with the larger number of parameters involved."

Is this sentence correct? Or maybe it should be "under the larger..." or "under increasing..."? Have no idea!

Thanks in advance,
Nyggus

[MrPedantic]

Hello Nyggus

It's very difficult to say without more context. But perhaps this would be closer to the intended meaning:

"The greater gain in efficiency occurred as a result of the greater number of parameters."

MrP

[nyggus]

Thanks, MrP. In fact, I figured out another version that would likely work here. It is:
"The greater number of parameters, the greater gain in efficiency occurred."

I see it more clear; do you?

Best,
Nyggus

[MrPedantic]

Hello Nyggus

That's a good idea – though it does still need a little tweaking, e.g.

"The greater the number of parameters, the greater the gain in efficiency."

See you later,
MrP

[nyggus]

Hi, MrP. Then, in general, one should not add a verb to such a construction? I know that it is not required, but is it not allowable as well (as in the example)?

Thanks,
Nyggus

[MrPedantic]

Hello Nyggus

It's fine to add a verb, e.g.

1. The greater the number of guests, the greater the number of bottles of wine required.

2. The more guests you invite, the more food you'll need.

It was simply that "occurred" didn't fit in that example!

MrP

[nyggus]

Ok, MrP, I see your point. Then, is this fine? --
"The greater the number of parameters, the greater the gain in efficiency was detected."

Thanks,
Nyggus

[MrPedantic]

Hello Nyggus

Not quite; either

1. The greater the number of parameters, the greater the gain in efficiency detected.

or

2. The greater the number of parameters, the greater the gain in efficiency that was detected.

(It's a tricky construction!)

MrP

[nyggus]

(It's a tricky construction!)
MrP

It is, indeed, it is! Thanks a lot, MrP, I think (hope?) that now I understand it.
Nevertheless, another problem appeared. I feel that in this sentence 'detected' referes to efficiency, and I I'd like it to refer to gain. What to do then?

Best,
Nyggus

[MrPedantic]

Hello Nyggus

I think most people would connect the "detected" with the "gain"; but if you wanted to be absolutely certain, you could say e.g. "the greater the gain that was detected in efficiency".

All the best,

MrP