where is the subjective clause?

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

The following sentences are taken from a reading passage:

The ideal product is one which goes on unchanged for ever. If, therefore, for one reason or another, some alteration seems called for---how much better to change the image, the packet or the pitch made by product, rather than go to all the inconvenience of changing the product itself.

I felt puzzled at the second sentence:

No.1. 'if.....' is a conditional clause. But where is the subjective clause?
No.2. What's the function of the participle phrase 'made by product'? If I write a clause it should be '...pitch that are made by product'. But it doesn't make sense. How can a product make the packet or pitch itself?
No.3. Last December I posted a question on 'rather than' and I received several answers. Could you please tell me if 'rather than' is a prepostion in this sentence? There is the verb 'seems' and 'go' after 'rather than'. So 'rather than' isn't conjunction. Am I right?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Have a nice weekend!

Jiang

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by jiang

Dear teachers,

The following sentences are taken from a reading passage:

The ideal product is one which goes on unchanged for ever. If, therefore, for one reason or another, some alteration seems called for---how much better to change the image, the packet or the pitch made by product, rather than go to all the inconvenience of changing the product itself.

I felt puzzled at the second sentence:

No.1. 'if.....' is a conditional clause. But where is the subjective clause?
No.2. What's the function of the participle phrase 'made by product'? If I write a clause it should be '...pitch that are made by product'. But it doesn't make sense. How can a product make the packet or pitch itself?
No.3. Last December I posted a question on 'rather than' and I received several answers. Could you please tell me if 'rather than' is a prepostion in this sentence? There is the verb 'seems' and 'go' after 'rather than'. So 'rather than' isn't conjunction. Am I right?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Have a nice weekend!

Jiang

It is an odd sentence. As written, the sentence is not grammatically correct, because it lacks a main verb. One should mentally change "how much better" to "it is easier". Then the sentence is a zero conditional, using present tense in both clauses.

"Made by product" is a typographical error of some sort. It makes not sense. The product doesn't make a pitch. I would change that sentence to "change the image or the package, rather than change the product itself."

"Rather than" is still a conjunction. It is connecting two verbals "to change" with "to go", but I would prefer only "than" here. If there is a comparative, such as "better" or "easier", one does not need "rather".

[jiang]

:D
Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

Have a nice weekend.

Jiang

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

It is an odd sentence. As written, the sentence is not grammatically correct, because it lacks a main verb. One should mentally change "how much better" to "it is easier". Then the sentence is a zero conditional, using present tense in both clauses.

"Made by product" is a typographical error of some sort. It makes not sense. The product doesn't make a pitch. I would change that sentence to "change the image or the package, rather than change the product itself."

"Rather than" is still a conjunction. It is connecting two verbals "to change" with "to go", but I would prefer only "than" here. If there is a comparative, such as "better" or "easier", one does not need "rather".

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by jiang

:D
Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

Have a nice weekend.

Jiang

You're welcome. :wink: