[General] omiting subject/verb in double comparative structure

Status
Not open for further replies.

atabitaraf

Key Member
Joined
May 19, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
Example: The higher the mountain (is), the harder (it is) to climb.
When can we omit the subject or verb in double comparative structures?
Thanks,
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
You can't omit "it is" in the second clause.
 

atabitaraf

Key Member
Joined
May 19, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
Thank you,

1. The higher the mountain (is), the harder it is to climb.
3. The better your mark (is), the higher your rank (is).

It hits me that when the verb in the both parts of double comparative is a 'to be' verb we can omit it, am I right? Is the general rule different?
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
It depends what you're trying to do- you can omit them in speech, but if you omit the verb it will be an incomplete sentence.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top