0
Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary
Holds rival the number
"Although a relatively young school, EPFL has climbed fast up the world academic rankings: in terms of ERC grants, awarded on the basis of scientific excellence, the 90-plus it currently holds rival the number at far better-known, longer-established institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge." (The Guardian.)
Is "holds rival the number" an idiomatic expression in the above?
Is "holds rival the number" an idiomatic expression in the above?
Top answer
You need a period after 'excellence'. It's just ordinary English. Parse the sentence this way.
- You need a period after 'excellence'.
- It's just ordinary English.
- Parse the sentence this way.
- )
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
You need a period after 'excellence'.
It's just ordinary English.
Parse the sentence this way.
The 90-plus (that it currently holds) rival the number at far better-known, longer-established institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge." (The Guardian.)
It's just ordinary English.
Parse the sentence this way.
The 90-plus (that it currently holds) rival the number at far better-known, longer-established institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge." (The Guardian.)
00
CliveIt's just ordinary English.Thank you for the reply.
I've understood that "rival" is a verb and "the number" its object in that context.
00
Hi
I would say that it is not. 'To hold' means ' to have in one's possession'. If the EPFL possesses a rating of 90-plus, that is literal. Similarly, to be a rival means, literally, that you are in competition. EPFL are apparently in competition with Universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. The ranking that EPFL holds is such that they rival the better-known places of education, li
I would say that it is not. 'To hold' means ' to have in one's possession'. If the EPFL possesses a rating of 90-plus, that is literal. Similarly, to be a rival means, literally, that you are in competition. EPFL are apparently in competition with Universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. The ranking that EPFL holds is such that they rival the better-known places of education, li
0
Related Questions