We do not yet know how much of what we are is determined by our DNA

[newkeenlearner]

Are these sentences OK?


1: We do not yet know how much of what we are is determined by our DNA and how much by our life experience.

2: We do not yet know how much of what we are is determined by our DNA and by our life experience.

3: We do not yet know how much of what we are is determined by our DNA and how much of what we are is determined by our life experience.

4: We do not yet know how much of what we are is determined by our DNA and is determined by our life experience.

 

[bhaisahab]

1. is OK, the others are not. In my opinion.

 

[newkeenlearner]

1. is OK, the others are not. In my opinion.

So, in the first sentence, is the phrase " how much of what we are is determined" implied in the sentence?

 

[Raymott]

It is explicitly written once. In the second part, "of what we are is determined" is ellipsed out. Yes, it's implied.

 

[newkeenlearner]

It is explicitly written once. In the second part, "of what we are is determined" is ellipsed out. Yes, it's implied.

Thanks Raymott. Can I ask other sentences are ungrammatical or unnatural?

 

[Raymott]

As bhaisahab has said, the rest aren't good.

2. means (or could easily mean) "... determined by both our DNA and our life experience".
3. is strictly correct, but so redundant that no one would consider writing this.
4. is possible with this insertion: "We do not yet know how much of what we are is determined by our DNA and how much by our life experience." This is also redundant, but not enough to prevent its usage if you want to be very clear.

 

[Polyester]

Raymott,
Do you think 2 and 3 are the same things?

 

[Raymott]

Raymott,
Do you think 2 and 3 are the same things?

No.

Sorry, I forgot to edit 4. completely. It now makes sense.