Two comparatives- elliptical constructions

    Hi there,

What are the cases when it is okay to omit the verb from a sentence? What about cases when 2 comparatives are used, such as "The higher you go, the farther you see?" I was just wondering if there is a rule for something like this written somewhere.

Thanks,
Ash.

omit the verb from a sentence?

Your question is confusing.  You suggest that perhaps comparatives allow the omission of verbs.  Then you give an example with two verbs! 

The higher you go, the farther you see.

I can't imagine what kind of rule you can be talking about, because it is certainly neither grammatical nor sensible to say things like The higher you, the farther you. 

CJ

Hi GrammarGeek and CJ,

Thanks for answering my questions, I had written this post when it was awfully late but I was sure I couldn't sleep soundly unless I got this figured- so I guess thats' why it mayn't have made a lot of sense

I agree, there may be verbs in the sentence, but the verb in question is the one that is sometimes omitted in the second part of the sentence: "The higher you go, the farther you can see."

In any case, I think Grammargeek's argument makes sense; it may be omitted in a poetic or proverbial context, or for emphasis. But I've seen instances where this verb (can) is omitted in formal literature: "The higher the sales, the better the..." and so on.

Is this acceptable?

Thanks,
Ashtoreth.
PS: Ashtoreth is a "she."