Are these sentences both correct?

Question

They create a new force which undermines the opposite force, and then to overcome it they amplify it.

They create a new force which undermines the opposite force, and then to overcome it, they amplify it.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I'm not 100% sure of this, but I feel that if you place a comma after "it" you're setting off "to overcome it," rather than "and then to overcome it." That is, if I were going to put a comma after "it," I'd put one after "then" as well.

I have a logical problem with "opposite." You have just created this force. It can't define itself. You must first establish the relationship between the new force and the old force before implying they're opposed. (I'm probably not making myself clear.)

You've just created a new force. It has no defining characteristics. Now you're asking it to search throughout the universe until it finds its exact opposite, which may or may not exist. That is, you've left out a step. (You must say that the new force is opposite to the old force.)

Perhaps prior context covers this.

As another aside, you're still a bit careless about your pronoun antecedents. "and then to overcome it they amplify it." This might be okay if both "it's" had the same antecedent, but I have my doubts that's the case.

Best wishes, - A.

Cbsteh · Answer

Yeah, as mentioned earlier, it is not very clear what "it" refers to in your sentences. I am only guessing that what you meant is something like:

"They create a new force which cancels out the opposite force, so to overcome the opposite force, they have to amplify (or increase) the strength of the new force"

Chris

Wholegrain · Answer

Ok, thank you both.

Are these sentences both correct?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions