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Rpsh Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

inverted structure

Theories of language, however, are not a substitute for speaking and writing any more than are theories of movement of an organism through a liquid a substitute for swimming.

I think the posterior part of this sentence is an ivnverted structure. Do you things so?
...theories of movement of an organism throug a liquid are a substitute for swimming.

Do you think that my rearrangement is right? Furthermore, could you tell me what it means?
  

Top answer

It is an inverted clause. I find the normal word order to be better. Theories of language, however, are not a substitute for speaking and writing any more than are theories of movement of an organism through a liquid are a substitute for swimming.

— AlpheccaStars

  • It is an inverted clause.
  • I find the normal word order to be better.
  • Theories of language, however, are not a substitute for speaking and writing any more than are theories of movement of an organism through a liquid are a substitute for swimming.
  • It is a comparison and an analogy a) Speaking and writing a language are better than studying the theory of the language.
  • b) The experience of swimming is better than studying the theory of the hydrodynamics of nektonic organisms.
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2 Answers
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It is an inverted clause. I find the normal word order to be better.

Theories of language, however, are not a substitute for speaking and writing any more than are theories of movement of an organism through a liquid are a substitute for swimming.

It is a comparison and an analogy

a) Speaking and writing a language are better than studying the theory of
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So clear! Thank you!
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