[Grammar] They are published together in a shorter form than they were originally published.

[kadioguy]

a. They are published together in a shorter form than they were originally published.

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/italian-english/compendio

b. There is more food than is needed.

https://tinyurl.com/yxl3sdof (Google Books)

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As you can see, there is a pronoun (they) after "than" in (a), while no pronoun after "than" in (b). I don't know why.

Can I say:

c. They are published together in a shorter form than were originally published. (Omit "they")

What do you think?

 

[GoesStation]

No, but I'm struggling to say why not.

 

[kadioguy]

No, but I'm struggling to say why not.

Can I take them to mean:

a'. They are published together in a shorter form than (the form in which) they were originally published.

b'. There is more food than (the food that) is needed.

The blue parts are understood, so they are omitted. Thus, we get (a) and (b).

What do you think?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I like that. It explains it better than I would have.

 

[jutfrank]

a'. They are published together in a shorter form than (the form in which) they were originally published.

That's right, yes. In fact, I think I'd consider the original sentence as incorrect, strictly speaking.

b'. There is more food than (the food that) is needed.

I'd put it like this:

There is more food than [the amount of food] that is needed.

 

[kadioguy]

I'd put it like this:

There is more food than [the amount of food] that is needed.

Did you mean:

There is more food than [the amount of food that] is needed.

If not, I know don't know why the "that" can be kept. Please compare it to:

He worries more than is necessary. (O)

He worries more than it is necessary. (X)

 

[jutfrank]

Did you mean:

There is more food than [the amount of food that] is needed.

Yes, I did, sorry. (Why do I seem to make more errors in your threads than in anyone else's?!)

 

[kadioguy]

That's right, yes. In fact, I think I'd consider the original sentence as incorrect, strictly speaking.

If you don't mind, could you please tell me what you would think as correct? Did you mean these two are better than the original?

(A) They are published together in a shorter form than the form in which they were originally published.

(B) They are published together in a shorter form than the form they were originally published.

 

[jutfrank]

If you don't mind, could you please tell me what you would think as correct? Did you mean these two are better than the original?

(A) They are published together in a shorter form than the form in which they were originally published.

(B) They are published together in a shorter form than the form they were originally published.

A is correct and B is incorrect.

 

[kadioguy]

A is correct and B is incorrect.

Thank you for being patient with my questions.

So, do you think (F) is incorrect?

(C) The place in which we live.

(D) The place where we live.

(E) The place that we live.

(F) The place we live.

 

[jutfrank]

Thank you for being patient with my questions.

So, do you think (F) is incorrect?

(C) The place in which we live.

(D) The place where we live.

(E) The place that we live.

(F) The place we live.

Here's my judgement:

C is dubious but possibly okay, depending on context. There ought to be a good reason for the preposition.
D is correct.
E is incorrect.
F is incorrect, strictly speaking. If I'm having a particularly good day, I'll forgive it. Still, I'd count it as poor English.