Why Is 1 wrong while 2 correct?
1. They are richer than appears. (https://www.italki.com/question/475419)
2. The difficulties are even greater than appears at first sight.
(from The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language)
Hi. Could you tell me why 2 is correct and 1 is wrong when both examples use the same construction?
Thank you.
Top answer
For the past 40 years or so "than it appears" has been used in preference to "than appears" (according to the Google Ngram Viewer). That may be influencing those who are attempting to judge the grammar of the now lesser used "than appears". It seems to me that both of your examples are correct regardless of the current trend in usage.
- For the past 40 years or so "than it appears" has been used in preference to "than appears" (according to the Google Ngram Viewer).
- That may be influencing those who are attempting to judge the grammar of the now lesser used "than appears".
- It seems to me that both of your examples are correct regardless of the current trend in usage.
- t1%3B%2Cthan%20it%20appears%3B%2Cc0 CJ
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For the past 40 years or so "than it appears" has been used in preference to "than appears" (according to the Google Ngram Viewer).
That may be influencing those who are attempting to judge the grammar of the now lesser used "than appears".
It seems to me that both of your examples are correct regardless of the current trend in usage.
0
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