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Lifelong learner Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

Than is generally supposed?

In Mcmillian dictionary, the example sentence says "Older people can learn much more quickly than is commonly supposed". Why is the subject after "than" omitted?

  

Top answer

lifelong learner Older people can learn much more quickly than is commonly supposed. Parts of clauses are frequently omitted in comparisons. Besides, it is often too cumbersome to try to include the whole subject and any other grammatical components that might be necessary to complete the meaning: Older people can learn much more quickly than {with the degree of quickness with which older people can learn} {that} is commonly supposed.

  • lifelong learner Older people can learn much more quickly than is commonly supposed.
  • Parts of clauses are frequently omitted in comparisons.
  • Besides, it is often too cumbersome to try to include the whole subject and any other grammatical components that might be necessary to complete the meaning: Older people can learn much more quickly than {with the degree of quickness with which older people can learn} {that} is commonly supposed.
  • CJ
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1 Answers
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lifelong learnerOlder people can learn much more quickly than is commonly supposed.

Parts of clauses are frequently omitted in comparisons. Besides, it is often too cumbersome to try to include the whole subject and any other grammatical components that might be necessary to complete the meaning:

Older people can learn much more quickly than

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