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Pructus Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
A whale is a fish no more than a horse is
If, the sentence, (p) "A whale is a fish no more than a horse is." is wrong,
and we have to say, "A whale is no more a fish than a horse is"
Then, how about this sentence, (q) "A whale is not a fish any more than a horse is." ?
Logically, if (q) is correct, then (p) should be correct, too.
But native speakers seem to feel differently, i.e. (p) is wrong, and (q) is correct.
Studying English has made me think that it is a very logical language....
This case might be an exception....
Any comments?
and we have to say, "A whale is no more a fish than a horse is"
Then, how about this sentence, (q) "A whale is not a fish any more than a horse is." ?
Logically, if (q) is correct, then (p) should be correct, too.
But native speakers seem to feel differently, i.e. (p) is wrong, and (q) is correct.
Studying English has made me think that it is a very logical language....
This case might be an exception....
Any comments?
Top answer
I see nothing wrong with (p).
- I see nothing wrong with (p).
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15 Answers
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I think it's just one of those set structures.
'X is no more a Y than Z is' is a set phrase. It's quite common.
'X is no more a Y than Z is' is a set phrase. It's quite common.
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Hi,
If you are interested in this discussion, you might also like to ponder the relatively well-known saying that 'A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle'.
If you are interested in this discussion, you might also like to ponder the relatively well-known saying that 'A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle'.
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Thanks.....
I presume that 'A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle' means 'A woman who needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle'......
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Hi,
No, that's not the meaning.
It's a well-known feminist statement, that uses irony.
A fish does not need a bicycle. Similarly, a woman does not need a man.
No, that's not the meaning.
It's a well-known feminist statement, that uses irony.
A fish does not need a bicycle. Similarly, a woman does not need a man.
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Nona The Brit'X is no more a Y than Z is' is a set phrase. It's quite common.
Hi, is that ok? I though it had to be "X is no more of a Y than Z is"...
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fHi,
Is that ok? I though it had to be "X is no more of a Y than Z is" ... No, don't add 'of' to this expression.
However, you can remove the negative and say "X isno more
Is that ok? I though it had to be "X is no more of a Y than Z is" ... No, don't add 'of' to this expression.
However, you can remove the negative and say "X is
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