comparative or positive with "as compared to"

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komountain

#181279 Tue, 10 Jan 06 09:07 PM

Hi.

Which sounds better, long or longer and difficult or more difficult?

1. [Many people believe that cicadas live for a short period of time, but they actually live a long/longer life as compared to other insects.]

2. [This question is difficult/more difficult as compared to the previous one.]

With #2, I'd definitely go for 'more difficult' but with #1 'long' would not be a bad idea, would it? I'd like someone to confirm this.

Thanks.

komountain

Joined on Mon, Nov 8 2004

Full Member (269)

Dj Bueno

#181306 Tue, 10 Jan 06 10:53 PM

1. longer

2. more difficult

Dj Bueno

Joined on Mon, Jul 18 2005

İstanbul

Senior Member (2,087)

Gulyabani vardır, korkacak bir şey yoktur.

paco2004

#181330 Wed, 11 Jan 06 12:48 AM

I'd say :

1. Many people believe that cicadas live for a short period of time, but they actually live a long life compared with other insects.
2. This question is difficult compared with the previous one.

Let me take the 2nd as the example. "This question is difficult" is a complete sentence in itself and "(as)(it is) compared with/to" is nothing but a sentential adverbial phrase/clause to say how the statement in the sentence is deduced.

paco

paco2004

Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004

Senior Member (4,095)

In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English.

Clauses

CalifJim

#181388 Wed, 11 Jan 06 05:15 AM

1. long
2. difficult

Without "than" to introduce the comparison group there is no reason to use "longer" or "more difficult". Comparison in itself does not automatically require a comparative form in the adjective or adverb.

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,568)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Adverbs, Verbs

komountain

#181692 Wed, 11 Jan 06 06:45 PM

Thank you all.

A patch of fog lifted. When new patches spill in, I'll be back.

komountain

Prosignia

#370510 Fri, 25 May 07 10:53 PM

I notice that you remove "as" from the original post. Both original sentences use "as compared to". I copy them here:

1. [Many people believe that cicadas live for a short period of time, but they actually live a long/longer life as compared to other insects.]

2. [This question is difficult/more difficult as compared to the previous one.]

But I also find such a sentence as follow from New York Times:
In the United States today, fewer than 500 babies are born with the infection each year, as compared with nearly 2,000 four years ago.
(quotes: [link]

Are there any reson that "as" is added or removed?

Thanks

Prosignia