"His value may fall like the value of his knowhow falls."

Question

"His value may fall like the value of his knowhow falls." I meant the first caluse to make a comparison to the second clause. I hear "like + a clause" is not allwed in formal English.So, how can I change this?Maybe, "His value may fall as the value of his knowhow falls." But, the above could be sounded simultaneous or causal relation like " As the value of his knowhow falls, his value may fall." Thanks a lot for your kind help.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I hear "like + a clause" is not allwed in formal English.

I hesitate to agree with a general statement like this. Much depends on the context and on style decisions. I see nothing wrong with, eg She smiles like her mother smiles.

His value may fall like the value of his knowhow falls."

First, a few comments about this sentence.

'Knowhow' is not a 'formal' word. Perhaps 'expertise'.

'May fall' does not fit well with 'falls'.

I understand that there is a possibility of his value falling.

Is there a possibility of his knowhow falling? Or is it going to fall? Or does it fall every day? The meaning is unclear.

It's not idiomatic to say 'knowhow falls'. Perhaps 'expertise declines'.

You are comparing 'his value' to 'the value of his knowhow'. It's unclear what 'his value' means. His value as a man? As an employee? As a father? As a hypnotist? I dunno.

I meant the first caluse to make a comparison to the second clause.

So, how can I change this? Please first revise your sentence in the light of my comments above, and then I can understand better what you are trying to say. Or alternatively, just choose a simpler example. How about 'Mary drives like her son rides his bicycle - on the sidewalk'?

Maybe, "His value may fall as the value of his knowhow falls."

But, the above could be sounded simultaneous or causal relation like " As the value of his knowhow falls, his value may fall." Yes, 'as' here sounds like the two actions are concurrent.

Best wishes, Clive

Zazzex · Answer

Thanks for poiting out that.

I'll be try to be clearer.

I meant:

"His value as an employee may decrease like the value of his expertise decreases."

It's certain that "the value of his expertise decreases."

It's possible that "His value as an employee may decrease."

From your answer, I guess "AS" is not a good replacement for "LIKE".

Is it formal to state "LIKE"?

And is there any other alternative that looks "formal"?

Thanks a lot.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I meant:

"His value as an employee may decrease like the value of his expertise decreases."

It's certain that "the value of his expertise decreases."

It's possible that "His value as an employee may decrease."

These two things still do not fit well together.

It's hard to see your meaning.

From your answer, I guess "AS" is not a good replacement for "LIKE".

Is it formal to state "LIKE"? It can be, but here it does not seem a good word to use.

'Like' suggests 'in a similar way', but it's not clear to me as a reader what that way is.

For example, how does the value of his expertise decrease? Quickly? Surprisingly? Slowly?

And is there any other alternative that looks "formal"?

It's still not really clear to me what you are trying to say in this comparison. I'd get rid of it altogether, and try to say it in another way.

How about this?

His expertise is becoming less useful every day. This may eventually make him less valuable as an employee.

Clive

"His value may fall like the value of his knowhow falls."

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