Which statement is "better"?

Question

Which statement is better:You understand the problems better than I.You understand the problems better than myself.You understand the problems better than I understand.You understand the problems better than I understand the problems.You understand the problems better than I do.The sound either overly verbose or clunky to me.Could someone please provide a reasonable guide?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

TailingDotsYou understand the problems better than I.

This is considered "correct" by people who think the sentence is short for "You understand the problems better than I do." However correct it may be, it sounds stilted, and the usual form is "You understand the problems better than me." Both are correct.

TailingDotsYou understand the problems better than myself.

You can't use "myself" that way.

TailingDotsYou understand the problems better than I understand.

Not good. A native speaker ends up waiting for the second object which never comes. Maybe "You understand the problems better than I understand them."

TailingDotsYou understand the problems better than I understand the problems.

This is fine for a certain emphasis, but it is not a normal way of putting it.

TailingDotsYou understand the problems better than I do.

Good. See the first one.

TailingDotsCould someone please provide a reasonable guide?

Using "than I do" makes all your listeners happy.

Blue Jay · Answer

You understand the problems better than I. Possible, but a bit formal-sounding.

You understand the problems better than myself. No. As a general rule, it's best to use "myself" only as a reflexive (I'd hurt myself if I tried to do that) or as an intensifier (I myself ran the tests), and avoid using "myself" where "I" or "me

You understand the problems better than I understand. No. Ambiguous and awkward.

You understand the problems better than I understand the problems. Fine, if a bit long-winded.

You understand the problems better than I do. This is the one I'd be most likely to use.

BillJ · Answer

[1] You understand the problems better than I.

[2] You understand the problems better than myself.

[3] You understand the problems better than I understand.

[4] You understand the problems better than I understand the problems.

[5] You understand the problems better than I do.

Of those examples, [5] is the preferred choice.

[1] is possible, but very formal. [2] is possible but the reflexive is somewhat unnatural. [3] is flat wrong. [4] is wrong too, since the verb phrase should be omitted, though it could be replaced with "them".

Note that you could also say

[6] You understand the problems better than me.

[6] is a less formal alternant to "I" in [1] and an alternative to the reflexive "myself" in [2].

Which statement is "better"?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions