JACEK1
Key Member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2013
- Member Type
- Interested in Language
- Native Language
- Polish
- Home Country
- Poland
- Current Location
- Poland
A hidden meaning of "the" .... "the" structure in the sentence as shown below
Hello everybody!
There is also evidence that the chance of having twins increases the later a mother gives birth.
In my opinion, the above sentence could be paraphrased as follows:
There is also evidence that the later a mother gives birth, the greater there is the chance of having twins.
or
There is also evidence that the older a mother who gives birth is, the greater there is the chance of having twins.
In the sentences modified by me, there is a complete "the" ... "the" structure whereas the sentence in question "There is also evidence that the chance of having twins increases the later a mother gives birth" contains half of "the" ... "the" structure, namely, "the later a mother gives birth".
What do you think?
Thank you.
I think my conclusion is supported by additional context:
Experts think this happens because of a change in hormonal signals sent between pituitary gland and the ovary.
In the UK, the odds of having any kind of twins at any age is one in 63 but these odds reduce to one in 46 once a woman is older than 35, and one in 18 if a woman conceives after the age of 45.
BBC News - Double treble: What's the chance of having three sets of twins?
Hello everybody!
There is also evidence that the chance of having twins increases the later a mother gives birth.
In my opinion, the above sentence could be paraphrased as follows:
There is also evidence that the later a mother gives birth, the greater there is the chance of having twins.
or
There is also evidence that the older a mother who gives birth is, the greater there is the chance of having twins.
In the sentences modified by me, there is a complete "the" ... "the" structure whereas the sentence in question "There is also evidence that the chance of having twins increases the later a mother gives birth" contains half of "the" ... "the" structure, namely, "the later a mother gives birth".
What do you think?
Thank you.
I think my conclusion is supported by additional context:
Experts think this happens because of a change in hormonal signals sent between pituitary gland and the ovary.
In the UK, the odds of having any kind of twins at any age is one in 63 but these odds reduce to one in 46 once a woman is older than 35, and one in 18 if a woman conceives after the age of 45.
BBC News - Double treble: What's the chance of having three sets of twins?