Completing a comparison

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Mister Micawber

#46558 Tue, 21 Sep 04 10:03 AM

We don't appear to have any polling facilities here, so I would like to ask you all to help me with a minor statistical analysis. Would you please complete the following sentence with the most probable comparison. Please give me a serious answer and not a humorous one, because I am interested in the validity of the possible implicated comparisons for this sentence:

"There have been twice as many imported cars this year as __________________ ."

Please try to ignore other answers and give your own most reasonable guess. Thank you very much for your assistance.

Mr. Micawber

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (22,347)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

Jandi

#46563 Tue, 21 Sep 04 12:45 PM

Hello, Mister Micawber!

As you know, I'm poor at English. However, if I might say my opinion, I'd say "last year" because there is 'this year' just ahead.
- There have been twice as many imported cars this year as last year.
If there were not 'this year', I'd say "domestic cars".
- There have been twice as many imported cars as domestic cars/ones.

Have a good day!
Best regards.

Jandi

Joined on Tue, Sep 7 2004

Full Member (348)

Regards

anon1

#46602 Tue, 21 Sep 04 05:47 PM

Mister Micawber,

There have been twice as many imported cars this year as compared to last year.

That's my natural inclination.

MountainHiker

anon1

Joined on Fri, Jul 2 2004

Senior Member (2,049)

CalifJim

#46684 Wed, 22 Sep 04 06:48 AM

Assuming you want only one answer, probably the one that comes first to mind, I'd say simply "last". (not even with "year")

You must tell us the reason for this one and the results when you're finished!

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,568)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Mister Micawber

#46881 Thu, 23 Sep 04 05:14 AM

44 views and only 3 responses? It's a simple question, I thought.

Jim, I was presented with this sentence, "there have been twice as many imported cars this year", and I said that it was a complete and correct sentence, and that the comparison was implied. Others (who will remain nameless) said that it was incomplete and that there was no implication. I am just interested in discovering if there is indeed any implication, by setting up the extension and checking the range of answers-- which so far is quite narrow, suggesting a strong implication in the original sentence.

Well, a sample of 3 does not constitute valid statistical evidence, but I thank the participants, and would welcome more.

Mister Micawber

Sample

CalifJim

#46887 Thu, 23 Sep 04 05:38 AM

No, no, no! I want names! And addresses! Who are these people? They must be pursued to the ends of the earth! And humiliated for their outrageous opinions!

(Just kidding, everybody! Smile [:)]

)

CalifJim

Jandi

#46923 Thu, 23 Sep 04 11:49 AM

Just for reference! In my first language, Korean, it is more of a complete sentence, and according to context, there can be numerous, indefinite implications. For example; than our town, than usual, than imported motorcycles, than foreigners .... etc. [However, more naturally w/o 'this year' or when it is in the head of the sentence]
IMHT, it goes the same with English.

Jandi

#46924 Thu, 23 Sep 04 11:56 AM

To CalifJim

No, no, no! You're serious. I think it's our true color; it's in our nature!!! (Just kidding, Jim! Wink [;)]

)

Jandi