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04-May-2008, 07:42
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Country: China
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| |  less
Dear teachers,
Please read the sentence:
John is _______ hardworking than his sister, but he failed in the exam.
A. no less B. no more C. not less D. no so
The key is "a". Could you please explain the difference between "a" and "b"?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.
Jiang |
04-May-2008, 07:59
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| | Re: less
No less is correct He is as hard working as his sister but he failed
Last edited by rj1948; 04-May-2008 at 08:14.
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04-May-2008, 08:03
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| | Re: less
Hi jiang
John is _______ hardworking than his sister, but he failed in the exam.
A. no less < positive: works just as hard; both brother and sister show maximum effort> 
B. no more < negative: isn't really all that hardworking; both brother and sister show mimium effort> 
Modify transitional but and choice B. would work: Ex: John is no more hardworking than his sister, which is why he failed the exam.
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04-May-2008, 08:26
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| | Re: less
& 
Hi,
Thank you very much for your explanation. I understand them.
Could you please kindly explain the difference between "a" and "c"?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.
Jiang Quote:
Originally Posted by Soup  Hi jiang
John is _______ hardworking than his sister, but he failed in the exam.
A. no less < positive: works just as hard; both brother and sister show maximum effort>
B. no more < negative: isn't really all that hardworking; both brother and sister show mimium effort>
Modify transitional but and choice B. would work: Ex: John is no more hardworking than his sister, which is why he failed the exam. | |
04-May-2008, 08:59
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| | Re: less
Let's be clear: who failed the exam? John. His sister passed the exam.
To pass an exam, you must study, be hardworking.
John worked just as hard as his sister: John is no less hardworking that his sister. They both study as hard as each other. Yet for some reason, John failed but his sister passed.
But say his sister had failed. Why did she fail and John pass? Did they study just as hard as each other? We're they equally hardworking?
"John is no more hardworking than his sister..."
That is, John doesn't study harder than his sister, which might have explained why he passed and his sister didn't. | | The Following User Says Thank You to David L. For This Useful Post: | |
04-May-2008, 09:14
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| | Re: less
&
Dear David,
Thank you very much for your explanation. I understand it.
Could you please kindly explain if I can say "John is not less hard working than his sister...."?
Jiang Quote:
Originally Posted by David L. Let's be clear: who failed the exam? John. His sister passed the exam.
To pass an exam, you must study, be hardworking.
John worked just as hard as his sister: John is no less hardworking that his sister. They both study as hard as each other. Yet for some reason, John failed but his sister passed.
But say his sister had failed. Why did she fail and John pass? Did they study just as hard as each other? We're they equally hardworking?
"John is no more hardworking than his sister..."
That is, John doesn't study harder than his sister, which might have explained why he passed and his sister didn't. | |
04-May-2008, 09:32
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| | Re: less
Could you please kindly explain to me the difference between "no less hard working" and "not less hard working"?
Thanks!
Could you please kindly explain if I can say "John is not less hard working than his sister...."?
Let's see if you get an answer on the other website before I take the time to just duplicate a response. |
04-May-2008, 13:12
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| | Re: less
Hi Jiang
The answer is a simple one. Not modifies verb phrases.
Ex: John is no less hardworking than ...
Ex: John is not less hardworking than ...
Ex: ... is not less than ...  | | The Following User Says Thank You to Soup For This Useful Post: | |
04-May-2008, 13:32
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| | Re: less
Hi Soup, "Not modifies verb phrases". This is too difficult for me.
Ex: ... is not less than ...
Could you please kindly explain if I add a verb in the above Ex:.....is not less than....how and where can I add the verb?
The following is from the website:
He paid not less than 500 dollars (He paid at least 500 dollars).
He is no less smart than you. = He is not less smart than you.
Is this explanation correct? If it is then in my sentence both "A" and "C"
are correct. Is that right? John is __________hardworking than his sister, but he failed in the exam. A. no less B. no more C. not less D. no so
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.
Jiang Quote:
Originally Posted by Soup Hi Jiang
The answer is a simple one. Not modifies verb phrases.
Ex: John is no less hardworking than ...
Ex: John is not less hardworking than ...
Ex: ... is not less than ... |
Last edited by jiang; 05-May-2008 at 12:32.
|
05-May-2008, 12:01
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| | Re: less
Hi jiang Not is an adverb, so it doesn't negate less hardworking. It negates the verb is. We know this because of contraction:
Ex: John is not/isn't less hardworking than his sister. He either works just as hard as his sister or he works harder. No is an adjective, so it negatives the comparative form less smart. We know this because we can't contract it with the verb:
Ex: John is no less hardworking than his sister.
Meaning, John works as hard as his sister, not harder.
So, if both choice B and C are meaningful English, then why is choice C not less not the best choice? Because of the meaning that isn't expresses. There is more room for interpretation with C.
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