Difference between following sentences.

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Anythingabove720

#439552 Tue, 06 Nov 07 05:20 PM

Although about 99 percent of the more than 50 million Turks are Muslims, the republic founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923 is resolutely secular.

Although about 99 percent of over 50 million of the Turks are Muslims, the republic founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923 is resolutely secular.

Although about 99 percent of more than 50 million Turks are Muslims, the republic founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923 is resolutely secular.

What is the difference between these sentences and what goes wrong if I replace Although with "despite the fact that".

Thanks

Sumeet

Anythingabove720

Joined on Thu, Nov 1 2007

New Member (03)

Difference between

Grammar Geek

#439562 Tue, 06 Nov 07 05:53 PM

You need the "the" in the "the more than 50 million Turks."

It's a little hard to read this. It might be easier if you wrote it as "There are more than 50 million Turks, and [although/despite the fact that] 99 percent of them are Muslim, the...

I find no difference in meaning if you substitute the "despite" phrase, but the sentence is already so long that adding more words simply makes it that much harder to read.

Use more than (since you can count them) instead of over.

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,583)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

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