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Lifelong learner Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

How to omit a common noun in a prepositional phrase

For example, do you shorten the phrase "a change from simple rules to complex rules" to the phrase "a change from simple to complex rules" or "a change from simple rules to complex"?
Also, do you usually omit a common noun in a prepositional phrase like the above sentence? (I am curious because my native language does not allow such omission.)

  

Top answer

lifelong learner For example, do you shorten the phrase "a change from simple rules to complex rules" to the phrase "a change from simple to complex rules" or "a change from simple rules to complex"? They are both possible, but the original form is best—the reader isn't forced to keep score as he goes. There is also "a change from simple rules to complex ones", of course, which avoids the repetition in a less intrusive way.

— Anonymous

  • lifelong learner For example, do you shorten the phrase "a change from simple rules to complex rules" to the phrase "a change from simple to complex rules" or "a change from simple rules to complex"?
  • They are both possible, but the original form is best—the reader isn't forced to keep score as he goes.
  • There is also "a change from simple rules to complex ones", of course, which avoids the repetition in a less intrusive way.
  • lifelong learner Also, do you usually omit a common noun in a prepositional phrase like the above sentence?
  • ) People do it all the time, but I probably do it less than most.
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2 Answers
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lifelong learnerFor example, do you shorten the phrase "a change from simple rules to complex rules" to the phrase "a change from simple to complex rules" or "a change from simple rules to complex"?

They are both possible, but the original form is best—the reader isn't forced to keep score as he goes. There is also "a change from simple rules to complex one

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lifelong learner"a change from simple rules to complex rules"

"a change in rules from from simple to complex"

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