Grammar, Punctuation and Capitalization - Handbook for Technical ...

Chapter 2. Sentence Structure Page 39PoorBetterOrThe pressures on the left dry-power nozzle are lower thanthe right afterburning-power nozzle.The pressures on the left dry-power nozzle are lower thanthose on the right afterburning-power nozzle.The pressures are lower on the left dry-power nozzle thanon the right afterburning-power nozzle.If the antecedent of the demonstrative pronoun is obscure, reword the sentence or repeat the subject ofcomparison.PoorBetterThe axial force on the left dry-power nozzle in the presenceof a right afterburning-power nozzle was lower than that inthe presence of a right dry-power nozzle.The axial force on the left dry-power nozzle was lower inthe presence of a right afterburning-power nozzle than in thepresence of a right dry-power nozzle.Omission of standard of comparisonUnless the standard of comparison is clear, comparisons are meaningless:PoorBetterPoorBetterAt the higher angles of attack, flow separation is extensive.At high angles of attack, flow separation is extensive.Higher strength martensitic steels are attractive candidatecryogenic materials.Martensitic steels, which are stronger than ferritic steels, areattractive candidate cryogenic materials.2.5.3. Comparison ConstructionsSo far in this section, only comparison constructions involving than have been discussed. Several otherconstructions may be used, or misused, to express comparisons.Compare withThe verb compare takes either to or with, depending on meaning. Bernstein (1981), explains the use of with quiteclearly "When the purpose is to place one thing side by side with another, to examine their differences or theirsimilarities, use with." In technical writing, do comparisons ever have any other purpose?The participle compared with is often used (sometimes in a dangling construction) when another constructionwould be better: