Outside the bright primary

[Freeguy]

Outside the bright primary rainbow, .... much fainter secondary rainbow may be visible.
1. so
2. a
3. since
4. still

Do we have "a + much + comparatives?" ( Answer key : No.2! )

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes.

 

[Freeguy]

What does "a much fainter" mean here? ( And what's wrong with No.4 ? )

 

[bhaisahab]

What does "a much fainter" mean here? ( And what's wrong with No.4 ? )

What do you think "still much fainter" would mean?

 

[Amigos4]

What does "a much fainter" mean here? ( And what's wrong with No.4 ? )

The primary rainbow is 'bright'. The secondary rainbow is not as bright as the primary rainbow; therefore it is 'much fainter'.

And what's wrong with No.4?

Which of your word choices makes the most sense in the sentence?

....so much fainter secondary rainbow may be visible.
.... a much fainter secondary rainbow may be visible.
.... since much fainter secondary rainbow may be visible.
.... still much fainter secondary rainbow may be visible.

The only correct choice is #2.

 

[Tdol]

( And what's wrong with No.4 ? )

It would need an article and the comparison is with a bright rainbow, so still doesn't work. It could work if the first rainbow were faint.