What vs Sth

Question

1.The success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to pursue what they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not eradication, of the other infections such as measles and yaws.

2.The success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to pursue something they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not eradication, of such infections as measles and yaws.

Can someone help me to understand the difference between above two sentences ie usage of what and usage of something?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
1.The success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to pursue what they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not eradication, of the other infections such as measles and yaws.

2.The success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to pursue something they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not eradication, of such infections as measles and yaws.

Can someone help me to understand the difference between above two sentences ie usage of what and usage of something?

Let's consider simpler examples.
Tom found what he was looking for. Suggests he was looking for one hing.
Tom found something he was looking for. Suggests he was looking for more than one thing.

It's similar in your sentences above. 'What' suggets tthere was one thing they had not previously considered possible. 'Something' suggests there were several things they did not consider possible.

The parts I have marked in red are also not exactly the same in meaning, but you didn't ask about them so I haven't explained.

Clive.

Pokh · Answer

The success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to pursue what they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not eradication, of the other infections such as measles and yaws.

Is n't such as... redundant here?

Does the other means all other infection other than smallpox?

Avangi · Answer

The use of the article "the" seems strange, in "control of the other infections such as etc."

The definite article usually calls for some prior context.

We don't know what the other infections are, until we read "such as measles and yaws."

To me, it would be better to delete the "the," unless there's something in prior context that justifies it.

Have measles and yaws been referred to earlier?

I don't mean to avoid your question, but there must be thousands of recognized infections.

It only makes sense to assume that we're talking about a certain limited category of infections, of which smallpox, measles, and yaws are the primary examples.

Since there's no comma after "infections," "such as measles and yaws" is defining, or restrictive.

So "infections such as measles and yaws" becomes a category of infections. How many different infections have been identified thus far within the category, we don't know.

To really understand the function of the "such as" phrase, we'd need some prior context, telling us what category or group of infections is being discussed.

Is "such as [smallpox,] measles and yaws" the only description we have of the category?

Without context, this is like saying Authorities are afraid the wildfires in Arizona will spread to the other states such as Texas and New Mexico.

Do we mean ALL the other states? Certainly not!

But without even a clue, we're left on our own to figure out what's special about Texas and New Mexico.

(Well, that doesn't take a rocket scientist.)

Pokh · Answer

Avangi thanks for your reply...however what do you think about the sentence below ...

Sartre believed each individual is responsible for choosing one course of action over another.

Sartre believed each individual is responsible for choosing one course of action over the other.

Is Another = the other?

Avangi · Answer

pokhSartre believed each individual is responsible for choosing one course of action over another.
Sartre believed each individual is responsible for choosing one course of action over the other.

In my opinion, they're not the same.
"The" is called "the definite article" for a reason. It assumes some sort of antecedent.

The two choices must have been previously defined in some way, great or small.

"One over another" is just a formula. Any two options may be plugged in.

- A.

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