A abstruse 'than' clause

Question

The following is the account of the verbal phrase "allow for."
Allowing for (a thing), on the other hand, explicitly connotes that the allowance more than equals the need; that there is doubt as to sufficiency of that which will or might be needed to be allowed.

I'd want to restore the implicit words in "the allowance more than equals the need."
And the following is my result.
"the allowance equals more than the allowance equals the need"
So, I'd like to know whether my result is right or not.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Clive · Accepted Answer

I have a great deal of trouble understanding your post.

Where did you find this strange definition of allow for?

Merriam Webster offers this definition of allow for.

2

: to give consideration to circumstances or contingencies —used with for <allow for expansion>

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allow

Here is a simple example.

If you have to drive to the airport in the late afternoon, don't forget to allow for the heavy rush-hour traffic.

Please try to reword your question, and include a simple example.

Clive

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, Clive, for your very kind and sincere answer.

In reality, I'd not like to know the usage of "allow for."

I had found the text in the following.
<english.stackexchange.com/questions/30069/whats-the-difference-between-allow-and-allow-for>

Please try to reword your question, and include a simple example.

I can't because I haven't seen the main verb is positioned in the "than" clause except for this.

Here are the answers from deadrat? I was reviewing my threads.
<https://www.EnglishForward.com/English/ICantUnderstandText/bwhvhd/post.htm>

Clive · Answer

If you have any outstanding concerns about the other thread, please ask deadrat.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

park sang joonI'd want to restore the implicit words in "the allowance more than equals the need."

I don't think you can do it, but you can paraphrase: 'more than equals' = 'exceeds' = 'is greater than'.

I suppose you could say, 'does more than merely equal', but that doesn't capture the meaning of the idiom as precisely.

CJ

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, Mr.Jim, for your very valuable answer.

but you can paraphrase: 'more than equals' = 'exceeds' = 'is greater than'.

Deadrat said "the allowance more than equals the need" is similar to "the allowance more equals than the need" in the meaning.
So, I was wondering whether "more than equal" is a set phrase or "more than a verb" is another structure expressing "than" clause.

CalifJim · Answer

park sang joonDeadrat said "the allowance more than equals the need" is similar to "the allowance more equals than the need" in the meaning.

I don't think so.

park sang joonI was wondering whether "more than equal" is a set phrase or "more than a verb" is another structure expressing "than" clause.

{"more than" + verb} is the structure. Meaning: {"do/does more than" + verb} | {do/does not merely" + verb}

The reader has to guess what verbal action is "more than" the verb written, though a second verb may clarify:

Lana more than likes Tom; she loves him.
______________

This red wine is very hearty. It will more than take on a big roast.
This book will more than pay for itself with the prevention of even one design flaw.
Analysts agree that the stock price's 23% discount to the market more than compensates for that risk.
Israeli officials add that they have more than lived up to their promises, subsidizing water to the Palestinians.
Argentines long to be world-class, though I guess their soccer heroes have more than put them in that category.

CJ

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, Mr.Jim, for your very easy to understand answer.

But I'd like to ask you one more thing.

Lana more than likes Tom; she loves him.

I'd like to know if I can only add a verb before "more" rather than rephrasing all the clause in order to interpret the structure, as in the following.

1. This red wine is very hearty. It will (be) more than take on a big roast.
2. This book will be (of value) more than pay for itself with the prevention of even one design flaw.
3. Analysts agree that the stock price's 23% discount to the market (does) more than compensates for that risk.
4. Israeli officials add that they have (done) more than lived up to their promises, subsidizing water to the Palestinians.
5. Argentines long to be world-class, though I guess their soccer heroes have (done) more than put them in that category.

CalifJim · Answer

park sang joonI'd like to know if I can only add a verb before "more" rather than rephrasing all the clause in order to interpret the structure,

Some form of the verb 'do' will be necessary, just as you have done yourself in some of those sentences. In fact, the form with "do" is far more common than the form without it. The verb form after "than" is always the plain infinitive.

You've worked out most of this correctly.

1. This red wine is very hearty. It will (do) more than take on a big roast.
2. This book will ~~be (of value)~~ do more than pay for itself with the prevention of even one design flaw.
3. Analysts agree that the stock price's 23% discount to the market (does) more than compensate for that risk.
4. Israeli officials add that they have (done) more than live up to their promises, subsidizing water to the Palestinians.
5. Argentines long to be world-class, though I guess their soccer heroes have (done) more than put them in that category.

CJ

A abstruse 'than' clause

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