Better marks in bio than me?! getting more hardworking...

Question

Q:
3. *** A got better marks in biology test than me. ***
This statement seems wrong.
First I think it should be higher.
Second is it ok to put "than me" at the end of the sentence?
I prefer " Person A got higher marks (than me) in the biology test." Any ideas?

4. *** am very happy because he is getting more hardworking…***
"…getting more hardworking". Is it correct?

Matthewg · Accepted Answer

Hi Wai,

Q3: So do I prefer "Person A got higher marks than me in the biology test." The sentence is much clearer, and easier to read, when phrased this way. However, you'd have to put "than me" at the end of a shorter sentence:

"Person A got higher marks than me."
"She makes £3.50 an hour more than me."

Unless you phrase it differently:

"She makes £3.50 an hour more than I do."
This way, the sentence is more formal, even though both are grammatically correct.

You might find [url="http://www.EnglishForward.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=43440"]this topic[/url] useful.

Q4: I'd use "becoming more hardworking." Since the true meaning of the word "becoming" has a positive note to it, I normally use it only as a participle for good qualities:

"He is becoming very friendly."
"He is getting lazy."
"She is becoming very athletic."
"She is getting fat."

However, this is my own way of doing things, and should not be used as a grammatic rule.

Wai_Wai · Answer

Hi, Matthewg.
I remember you have answered me a lot ofquestions.
Thanks a lot.

Back to the issue.
Relating to "getting more hardworking", I'm sometimes confused with the following:
- I am getting fat
- I am gettin fatter

- I am getting hardworking
- I am getting more hardworking

It seems to me that all the pairs carry the same meaning.
What do you think?

Wai_Wai · Answer

About "become/get", I will not use it based on your said rule (it is just my opinion anyway. No offense). Reasons:
- language is used as a communication tool
- the rule/word is indeed ambiguous/unclear if people generally know nothing about it.
- I like to keep things as simpler as possible. I always feel English has too many redundant and complicate rules/things which obstruct learners too often.
- These complicate but unseless rules/things offer no help in facilitating communication. They are just burdens to users!!

Based on my principles, I will accept people to use "get/become" both approvingly and disapprovingly.
It is just like the argument "You are better than I/me." I will accept both as well.

Anyway, it's only my silly opinion.

Matthewg · Answer

Hi Wai,

I am getting fat
I was once slim, but now I'm putting on weight.

I am getting fatter
I was fat, but now I'm putting on even more weight.

I am getting hardworking
I was once lazy, but now I'm beginning to work harder.

I am getting more hardworking
I was hardworking before, but now I'm putting in even more effort.

When I was at school, teachers would always correct me when I'd say "than me." You are right that this rule is redundant, as both are grammatically correct, and by saying "better than I" you are simply inviting ridicule from most native speakers.

However, I do find there are different situations when one should use "getting" or "becoming." "Getting more hardworking" doesn't sound right to me.

Wai_Wai · Answer

Hi.
In fact, I see there are quite many examples which people use "get" with approving things.
Eg:
- get slimmer
- get smarter
A real example: http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.hardworking.com/live/modules.php%3Fop%3Dmodload%26name%3DNews%26file%3Darticle%26sid%3D641&e=42
(search for smarter)

To me, get more hardworking is more natural. But you know, I'm not a native speaker, so my saying is not trustworthy.

Better marks in bio than me?! getting more hardworking...

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