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[Anonymous]

I want to say that the number of books I have read is greater than the number of books that John owns. Whicc of the following can I use:

1-I have read more books than the books John has.
2-I have read more books than the ones John has.
3-I have read more books than John has.
4-I have read more books than John owns.

 

[Red5]

I would opt for number 4 - "I have read more books than John owns."

 

[Tdol]

I agree with Red becaause 'has' is ambiguous as it could also mean 'has read', which is the natural meaning for me.

 

[FW]

Are sentences 1 and 2 simply wrong or do they mean something slightly diferent? Don't these sentences:
1-I have read more books than the books John has.
2-I have read more books than the ones John has.
mean that I have read all the books John has and other books as well?

5-I have read more books than these.
Does this one mean that I have read these books?

 

[Tdol]

They are more clumsy than wrong.