A subject + more than + do something.

Question

The cycle of economic prosperity and wars of expansion added to other concerns that weighed on China. Emperor Wu's maintenance of large armies of occupation more than offset the benefits from the increase in trade that followed his conquests.
[Emperor Wu, Expansion, Class Conflict and Decline http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/china04.htm ]

I'd like to know if I can take it that "do" is implied before "more" in this case too.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

No.

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, fivejedjon, for your another kind answer.

Then, I'd like to know what verb you think is implied.

Fivejedjon · Answer

park sang joonThen, I'd like to know what verb you think is implied.

None.

The verb is 'offset'. The subject of that verb is everything that precedes it. There might be some who would argue that the subject is 'The cycle', in which case the verb should be singular, buy that's a different matter. Nothing is missing or implied.

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, fivejedjon, for your continuing support.

I made a terrible mistake; I should have written "did," not "do."
I think the subject is "Emperor Wu's maintenance."
I was wondering how "Emperor Wu's maintenance of large armies of occupation more than" can be a subject.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Sorry. I completely misread that. Ignore my last post completely The subject of the verb 'offset' is Emperor Wu's maintenance of large armies of occupation; more than modifies the verb offset.

A subject + more than + do something.

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