RohitSaluja wrote:
nightwing79 wrote:
Los Angeles has a higher number of family dwellings per capita than any large city.
(A) a higher number of family dwellings per capita than any large city
(B) higher numbers of family dwellings per capita than any other large city
(C) a higher number of family dwellings per capita than does any other large city
(D) higher numbers of family dwellings per capita than do other large cities
(E) a high per capita number of family dwellings, more than does any other large city
KarishmaB and
AndrewN can you please help me with this one. I understand why A is incorrect because it incorrectly compares "higher number of family dwellings with large cities". Now, I have seen official comparison questions in which we needed to repeat the verb "do" to make the comparison clear but shouldn't we use "has/have" here instead of does? as do/does is used to replace action verbs while has/have for possession.
Appreciate your time and response in advance.
I think your confusion,
RohitSaluja stems from this made-up rule at the end that
do/does is used to replace action verbs while has/have for possession. As a substitute verb,
to do can replace just about anything, including
to have.
He has more rare books in his collection than do the ten collectors behind him combined.Such usage occurs more frequently when the substitute verb is placed ahead of the comparative element. (If you are wondering why
do makes an appearance at all, it really comes down to whether the author feels as though a reminder is necessary. The above sentence places seven words between
has and
the ten collectors, so a reminder of what is being compared, exactly, may facilitate the expression of vital meaning. In a less lengthy comparison, the verb may be omitted.)
He has more rare books in his collection than have the ten collectors behind him combined.However, it is fine to repeat the verb at the end of the comparison.
He has more rare books in his collection than the ten collectors behind him have combined.For further reference, I would recommend checking out the section
Do as a substitute verb in the following article from the Cambridge Dictionary (
link). Just be aware that some of the information on the broader page is more typical of British English.
Thank you for thinking to ask.
- Andrew