Comparative clauses

in comparative constructions, a proposition expressed in the matrix clause is

compared with a proposition expressed in the subordinate clause words
repeated in both clauses may be omitted in the subordinate (Jane is as healthy as
her sister (is). | Jane is healthier than her sister (is).)
the clause element that specifies the standard of comparison (the word
health in previous examples) is the comparative element; the basis of
comparison is implied from the context rather than overtly expressed
broadly conceived, comparison includes comparison of equivalence (Jane is
as healthy as her sister (is).), and nonequivalence (Jane is healthier than her
sister (is).) also, there are comparisons of sufficiency (Don is sensitive enough
to understand your feelings.) and excess (Marilyn was too polite to say anything
about my clothes.)
these types of comparisons are nonassertive forms (She works as hard as
harder than she ever did.)

clause function of the comp-element

the comp-element of a comparative construction can be any of the clause
elements, apart from the verb:
a) subject (More people use this brand than (use) any other window-cleaning
fluid.)
b) direct object (She knows more history than most people (know).)
c) indirect object (That toy has given more children happiness than any other
(toy) (has).)
d) subject complement (Lionel is more relaxed than he used to be.)
e) object complement (She thinks her children more obedient than (they were)
last year.)
f) adverbial (Youve been working much harder than I (have).)
g) prepositional complement (Shes applied for more jobs than Joyce (has
(applied for)).)
there are some types of nonclausal comparison:
a) more than, less than, as as (I weigh more than 100 pounds. | It goes
faster than 10 mph.)
b) when more precedes an adjective in a NP, there may be ambiguity (Morion
has more expensive clothes than I have.)
c) the sequence more of a and less of a occur with gradable singular noun
heads (Hes more of a fool than I thought (he was). | It was less of a success
than I imagined (it would be).)
d) when the contrast involves two points on the same scale, one higher than
the other, the part following than cannot be expanded into a clause, and is
then functioning as a preposition in a nonclausal comparison: (Its hotter
than just warm. | Shes wiser than merely clever.)
e) more than (I am more than happy to hear that.)

ellipsis in comparative clauses

 its the rule rather than the exception in comparative constructions

example of optional ellipsis and optional substitutions by pronouns and by propredicate or pro-predication: James and Susan often go to play but
a) James enjoys the theatre more than Susan enjoys the theatre.
b) James enjoys the theatre more than Susan enjoys it
c) James enjoys the theatre more than Susan does.
d) James enjoys the theatre more than Susan.
e) James enjoys the theatre more.
standards of comparison in two clauses may be different (Mary is cleverer than
Jane is pretty.)

ambiguity through ellipsis

when normal ellipsis is taken to its fullest extent, ambiguity can arise as to
whether a remaining NP is subject or object (He loves his dog more than his
children.) it can be resolved by using pronouns they or them
sometimes them is used in both cases it is better to expand the clause (than
they do, than he does them) in sentences in which theres danger of ambiguity

partial contrasts
if the two clauses in a comparison differed solely in the comp-element, the
comparison would of course be nonsensical; therefore, a contrast of at least one
variable is required between the two clauses
the contrast may affect only tense or the addition of a modal auxiliary, in which
cases it is normal to omit the rest of the comparative clauses after the auxiliary (I
hear it more clearly than I did. {than I used to hear it} | I get up later than I
should. {than I should get up})
if the contrast lies only in tense, it may be expressed in the comparative clause
solely by an adverbial (Shell enjoy it more than (she enjoyed it) last year.)

enough and too

when comparative constructions express the contrasting notions of sufficiency
and excess, theyre used with enough and too followed by a to-infinitive clause
(Theyre rich enough to own a car. | Theyre not too poor to own a car.) if the
context allows, the infinitive clause may be omitted, but if its used, it can have
an overt subject.
after there may be ambiguity as to which identification to make (She was too
young to date. {to date others or for others to date her})

so (that) and such (that)

these correlatives introduce constructions that combine the notion of
sufficiency or excess with that of result so is an adverb premodifying an
adjective or adverb, and such is a predeterminer
paraphrase pairs may be obtained between these constructions when the thatclause is negative and construction with too and an infinitive clause (Its so good
a movie that we mustnt miss it. Its too good of a movie to miss. | It was such a

pleasant day that I didnt want to go to school. It was too pleasant a day to go to
school.)
these sentences can also be paraphrased with enough when the that-clause is
positive (It flies so fast that it can beat the speed record. It flies fast enough to
beat the speed record.)