Engines are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

[嘟嘟嘟嘟]

Engines are to machines what hearts are to animals. Engines are to machines as hearts are to animals.

Are both of the above sentences natural to you? I am surprised by the structure of the sentence pattern. Could you explain it for me?

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: Engineers are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

嘟嘟嘟嘟, always tell us the source and context of any sentence you quote, please.

 

[嘟嘟嘟嘟]

Re: Engineers are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

It is just from a grammar exercise in an exercise book, and just this single sentence, asking you to fill in the blanks with right words. No context around it.

 

[嘟嘟嘟嘟]

Re: Engineers are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

 

[teechar]

Re: Engineers are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

That's a good question. Both are correct and possible.

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: Engineers are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

It is just from a grammar exercise in an exercise book,

You have given us the context but not the source. "An exercise book" isn't sufficient. Please give us the title of the book and the name of the author (translate them into English).

 

[Tdol]

Re: Engineers are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

I prefer the second- engineers are not part of the machines they build, but they are as essential. If the exercise only allows one correct answer, however, then it's a poor question.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Re: Engineers are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

I don't like either one. Whether you use as or what, Engineers doesn't fit the analogy.

Better:

- Engines are to machines what hearts are to animals. (That is, they're the power plant.)

Or if we're wedded to the word Engineers, then:

- Engineers are to machines as genes are to animals. (That is, they're the source of the design.)

 

[嘟嘟嘟嘟]

Re: Engineers are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

Sorry, I made a mistake when I typed the word "engine". It is "engine", not "engineer". So are both "as" and "what" right for the sentence? Is there any difference in meaning between them?

 

[嘟嘟嘟嘟]

Re: Engineers are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

It is hard for me to translate them in a good way. I can show a picture of the book's cover if you want the source so much.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Re: Engineers are to machines _____ hearts are to animals.

Sorry, I made a mistake when I typed the word "engine". It is "engine", not "engineer". So are both "as" and "what" right for the sentence? Is there any difference in meaning between them?

That makes more sense.

Both are correct. They mean the same thing but are used slightly differently.

Use what to sound conversational. Use as to sound more formal or academic.