Illogical Comparisons and Mixed Constructions

1. Illogical Comparisons and Mixed Constructions

2. Illogical Comparisons • When you make comparisons, you must be sure not only that the things compared are similar, but also that all necessary elements of the comparison are needed. • Harold is taller than any boy in his class. • Why is this incorrect? • [Harold is a boy in his class, hence the sentence is actually saying Harold is taller than Harold.] • CORRECT: Harold is taller than any other boy in his class. • ALSO CORRECT: Harold is taller than any girl in his class.

3. Illogical Comparisons • I helped you more than Jim. • Why is this incorrect? • [You can’t tell if the sentence means I helped you more than Jim helped you or I helped you more than I helped Jim.] • CORRECT: I helped you more than Jim did.

4. Mixed or Confused Constructions • Don’t shift constructions mid-sentence. • MIXED: Bob realized that during the conference how inattentive he had been. • CORRECT: Bob realized that during the conference, he had been inattentive. • MIXED: He pulled a leg muscle was why he failed to place in the long jump. • CORRECT: Because he pulled a leg muscle, he failed to place in the long jump.

5. Mixed or Confused Constructions • Avoid the “this is when” construction • When used as a linking verb, "is" must join two nouns, not a noun and a "when" clause • MIXED: A good day is when we have no homework. • CORRECT: A good day is one on which we have no homework.

6. Mixed or Confused Constructions • Avoid the “the reason is because” construction • It’s both ungrammatical and redundant • MIXED: The reason I am living at home is because I want to save money . • CORRECT: I am living at home because I want to save money. • CORRECT: The reason I am living at home is that I want to save money.