English Reference Book

10. Comparisons.a. When making comparisons, you must compare like with like. (‘At £7500 theprice of the Golf is £500 higher than that of the Citroen.’). Beware of falsecomparisons, eg ‘Temperatures will be higher than yesterday’. We cannot compare‘temperatures’ with ‘yesterday’, but should make the comparison with othertemperatures. The correct version should read ‘Temperatures will be higher thanyesterday’s temperatures’, or ‘Temperatures will be higher than they were yesterday’.b. Remember too that you cannot compare something with nothing. The statementthat ‘Champagne is more expensive’ could mean ‘Champagne is more expensivethan it used to be’ or ‘Champagne is more expensive than draught ale’. Theexpression needs to be completed to make the meaning clear. Of course, where themeaning is completely clear, ellipsis may be allowed, eg ‘Cider is pleasing to the eyebut champagne is more expensive’. (There is no doubt here that champagne isbeing compared with cider.) If there can be any doubt about the meaning of whatyou have written, rewrite the passage in clearer terms.c. Incorrect and Incomplete Comparisons.ErrorCorrection1 At £4750, works services for theBarrack Block would cost £1000 lessthan the Guardroom.At £4750, works services for theBarrack Block would cost £1000 lessthan works services (those) for theGuardroom.2 Unlike HMS SOUTHWICK, the ceilingheight of the main storage area atHMS SHORLAND would exceed 18 ft.Unlike that of HMS SOUTHWICK, theceiling height of the main storage areaat HMS SHORLAND would exceed 18ft.3 Conventional weapons are moreaccurate and powerful and so providea suitable alternative.Conventional weapons are now moreaccurate and powerful than they were,and so provide a suitable alternativeto nuclear ones.4 The Tornado has morecomprehensive electronics.The Tornado has morecomprehensive electronics than anyprevious RAF ac.5 Jaguar and Buccaneer sqns will bereplaced by Tornados.Jaguar and Buccaneer sqns will bereplaced by Tornado sqns.6 The visit will be similar to last year. The visit will be similar to last year’s.7 The borders of the former Congo arenot policed to the same levels.The borders of this former Congo arenot policed to the same levels asbefore.9-8