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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Is this "other" indispensable?
0 00 I am not a native speaker of English. 02 br
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00 When we learn the comparative forms at school, we often see a phrase as follows on the classboard and/or textbook: 02 br
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00 The Elbrus is higher than any other mountain in Europe. 02 br
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00 A classmate asked a question like: 02 br
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00 Is that "other" necessary? I don't think so. 02 br
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00 The teacher answered: 02 br
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00 "than any other" is a rut. Also think of the meaning of "other." Without this "other" the Elbrus would be part of "any mountain in Europe." No good. It's indispansable. 02 br
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00 I read a couple of years later a book written for non-native speakers of English. That says, citing phrases like above: 02 br
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00 "other" is NOT indispensable. Even without an "other" it is clear the Elbrus canNOT be included in "any mountain," judged from the intended meaning of the whole phrase. Therefore, even when you see a phrase like "The Elbrus is higher than any mountain in Europe." written by a native speaker, it is not from "corruption of their English," but a correct English. 02 br
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00 I can see, in fact, phrases without an "other" (some of them seem to be ones written by native English speakers) on the Net (find with a phrase like "than any mountain"). 02 br
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00 Isn't the omission of "other" really a grammartical error or corruption? 02 br
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00 If no, what I want is a perfect confutation (with a grammartical confirmation) against the teachers and textbooks in my country who insist on the necessity of this "other". 02 br
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00 Thank you. 02 br
01 i 00 _______________ 02 i 02 br
00 Marco Rossi 00 0-
02 br
00 When we learn the comparative forms at school, we often see a phrase as follows on the classboard and/or textbook: 02 br
02 br
00 The Elbrus is higher than any other mountain in Europe. 02 br
02 br
00 A classmate asked a question like: 02 br
02 br
00 Is that "other" necessary? I don't think so. 02 br
02 br
00 The teacher answered: 02 br
02 br
00 "than any other" is a rut. Also think of the meaning of "other." Without this "other" the Elbrus would be part of "any mountain in Europe." No good. It's indispansable. 02 br
02 br
00 I read a couple of years later a book written for non-native speakers of English. That says, citing phrases like above: 02 br
02 br
00 "other" is NOT indispensable. Even without an "other" it is clear the Elbrus canNOT be included in "any mountain," judged from the intended meaning of the whole phrase. Therefore, even when you see a phrase like "The Elbrus is higher than any mountain in Europe." written by a native speaker, it is not from "corruption of their English," but a correct English. 02 br
02 br
00 I can see, in fact, phrases without an "other" (some of them seem to be ones written by native English speakers) on the Net (find with a phrase like "than any mountain"). 02 br
02 br
00 Isn't the omission of "other" really a grammartical error or corruption? 02 br
02 br
00 If no, what I want is a perfect confutation (with a grammartical confirmation) against the teachers and textbooks in my country who insist on the necessity of this "other". 02 br
02 br
00 Thank you. 02 br
01 i 00 _______________ 02 i 02 br
00 Marco Rossi 00 0-
Top answer
0 I understand the teacher's point. And I understand your point. 0-
- 0 I understand the teacher's point.
- And I understand your point.
- 0-
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8 Answers
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0 I understand the teacher's point. And I understand your point. If the listener knew that Elbrus was in Europe, then logic trumps, and the listener knows what Elbrus isn't higher than itself. 02 br
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00 But if I did't know that Elbrus was in Eurpose, and I read " 00 The Elbrus is higher than any mountain in Europe," 00 I would assume that it was not in Europe. 02 br
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00 But if I did't know that Elbrus was in Eurpose, and I read " 00 The Elbrus is higher than any mountain in Europe," 00 I would assume that it was not in Europe. 02 br
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0 Thank you, Grammar Geek. 02 br
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00 Could you give me some additionl info? 02 br
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00 I want to know of course about the first case (because the mountain and region are often replaced with the highest one in my country and itself). 02 br
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00 The point is our teachers and textbooks assert the lack of "other" as a grammartical error ev
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00 Could you give me some additionl info? 02 br
02 br
00 I want to know of course about the first case (because the mountain and region are often replaced with the highest one in my country and itself). 02 br
02 br
00 The point is our teachers and textbooks assert the lack of "other" as a grammartical error ev
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0 > I don't think this is not true. Is this correct? 02 br
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00 Sorry, too many not... 02 br
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00 I meant: I don't think this is true. Is this correct? 0-
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00 Sorry, too many not... 02 br
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00 I meant: I don't think this is true. Is this correct? 0-
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0 I don't know whether it's a grammatical flaw or a logical flaw. Can you see both sides of the argument? 02 br
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00 Anyone else want to wade in on this? 0-
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00 Anyone else want to wade in on this? 0-
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0 It seems to me that the form 02 br
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01 i 00 X is higher than any mountain in Europe 02 i 00 , as you say, suggests that X is not in Europe (without prohibiting the interpretation that it 01 b 00 is 02 b 00 in Europe, however). 02 br
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01 i 00 Everest is higher than any mountain in Europe. 02 i 02 br
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01 i 00 X is higher than any mountain in Europe 02 i 00 , as you say, suggests that X is not in Europe (without prohibiting the interpretation that it 01 b 00 is 02 b 00 in Europe, however). 02 br
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01 i 00 Everest is higher than any mountain in Europe. 02 i 02 br
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0 00 >than any 01 b 00 other 02 b 00 mountain in Europe 02 br
00 mental trick to eliminate the mountain itself in question (Elbrus) from the comparison 02 br
00 it forces you to think only about the rest of them 02 br
00 I think it is correct to use 01 b 00 other 02 b 02 br
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00 0-
00 mental trick to eliminate the mountain itself in question (Elbrus) from the comparison 02 br
00 it forces you to think only about the rest of them 02 br
00 I think it is correct to use 01 b 00 other 02 b 02 br
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00 0-
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0 If we are talking about a mountain that is also in Europe, then I think the 'other' is essential. 02 br
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00 Without the 'other' it sounds as though the mountain is definitely not in Europe. (imo). 02 br
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00 It's a paradox - how can something in Europe be higher than anything in Europe? It might be the highest thing in Europe - but it is itself part of
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00 Without the 'other' it sounds as though the mountain is definitely not in Europe. (imo). 02 br
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00 It's a paradox - how can something in Europe be higher than anything in Europe? It might be the highest thing in Europe - but it is itself part of
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0 The following sentences should enable you to understand the use of 'other'. 02 br
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00 He is taller than any other boy in class. 02 br
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00 He is taller than any girl in class. 02 br
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00 She is taller than any other girl in class. 02 br
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00 She is taller than any boy in class. 0-
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00 He is taller than any other boy in class. 02 br
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00 He is taller than any girl in class. 02 br
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00 She is taller than any other girl in class. 02 br
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00 She is taller than any boy in class. 0-
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