grammar

[deepcosmos]

Hi,


I have following difficult problem of grammar. Please explain which answer is right/wrong with some reasons.


It is argued that Einstein's contribution to physics was as important as [_____] ;

(a) Newton
(b) Newton's
(c) of Newton
(d) that of Newton's
(e) that of Newton


Your prompt reply will be appreciated...

Best Rgds

[engee30]

Originally Posted by deepcosmos

Hi,


I have following difficult problem of grammar. Please explain which answer is right/wrong with some reasons.


It is argued that Einstein's contribution to physics was as important as [_____] ;

(a) Newton
(b) Newton's
(c) of Newton
(d) that of Newton's
(e) that of Newton


Your prompt reply will be appreciated...

Best Rgds

I'd go for (d), ...as that of Newton's.

[deepcosmos]

Hi, engee30 !

Many thanks for your propmt reply, and can I ask you any detailed reason for
your choice as [that of Newton's] ?

Best rgds,

[BobK]

Originally Posted by deepcosmos

Hi, engee30 !

Many thanks for your propmt reply, and can I ask you any detailed reason for
your choice as [that of Newton's] ?

Best rgds,

When posting questions like this, please make an attempt to answer it yourself. Our aim is to teach, not to do your work for you.

Here's a clue: d is wrong.

b

[deepcosmos]

Hello, Bobk !!

Many thanks for your last pointing out.
I considered (d) [that of Newton's] as right answer with following reasons ;

1. Full sentence before abbreviation ; It is argued [Einstein's contribution to
physics] was as important as [Newton's contribution to physics] was important.
(I thought [] should be compared with [])

2. After 1st abbreviation ; It ~ that [Einstein's contribution to physics] was as
important as [Newton's contribution to physics].

3. After 2nd abbreviation ; It ~ that [Einstein's contribution to physics] was as
important as [Newton's [that] (=contribution)].
(['s=possesive case] is not suitable with [that=possesive pronoun])

4.Finally ; It is argued that Einstein's contribution to physics was as important
as [that of Newton's]...

Would hope to hear your bright explanation surely overnight,if possible.

Thanks in advance n b.rgds

[deepcosmos]

Hello, BobK !!

In para.3 of my previous message [that=possessive pronoun] should be

read as [demonstrative pronoun].

B.rgds,

[deepcosmos]

Hello, BobK !!

Moreover, I have found following usages after the Google searching ;

1. Earlier laws of physics like [those] of Newton's were mere approximations
of these perfect laws.

2. But if KM was right with his analysis then I don't see why his analysis
couldn't stand as well as [that] of Newton's despite the fact that capitalism
(class society) will someday be 'just history'.

3. Frankly I do not know, though I think the effect will be as great as [that]
of Newton's work, which created most of the intellectual forces of the 18th
century.

B.rgds,

[BobK]

Originally Posted by deepcosmos

Hello, BobK !!

Moreover, I have found following usages after the Google searching ;

1. Earlier laws of physics like [those] of Newton's were mere approximations
of these perfect laws.

2. But if KM was right with his analysis then I don't see why his analysis
couldn't stand as well as [that] of Newton's despite the fact that capitalism
(class society) will someday be 'just history'.

3. Frankly I do not know, though I think the effect will be as great as [that]
of Newton's work, which created most of the intellectual forces of the 18th
century.

B.rgds,

Google is useful, but can can be just a receptacle for common mistakes. In 'It is argued that Einstein's contribution to physics was as important as ...' that is a subordinating conjunction; but in 'that of Newton' it is a pronoun, standing for 'the contribution'. What is as important is this (the contribution); and 'the contribution' could be replaced by either 'Newton's' or 'that of Newton'.

For some reason, I suppose, the writer of that question believes that either b or e is better; but I see no reason for choosing between them - except on grounds of the (silly, in my view) preference for 'elegant variation' - which would favour 'that of Newton' (because fans of elegant variation think it's a Good Thing to make readers work harder and parse equivalent structures rather than understand what they've read by reference to a structure they've already parsed ).

b

[mykwyner]

Test constructors these days are hung up on "parallel structure," the opposite of elegant variation.

The answer is b because the sentence compares Newton's to Einstein's [contributions].

Parallelism would require a "that of Newton" sentence to read like this:

It is argued that the contribution of Einstein to physics was as important as that of Newton.

Choices a, c, and d are patently ungrammatical, and the circumstance for using choice e is outlined above. Therefore, the answer is b, Newton's.

[deepcosmos]

Hello, BobK and mykwyner !!

Many thanks for your explanation with note.
Now I feel I have escaped from the last headache !!! ...

Best Rgds,