Slow and steady wins the game.

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Teo

#175432 Wed, 28 Dec 05 07:38 AM

1. Slow and steady wins the game.

2. Being healthy is more important.

3. *Healthy is more important.

Since sentence #3 is ungrammatical, why is #1 acceptable?

Teo

Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004

Taiwan

Contributing Member (1,612)

Thank you very much for your reply.

Mister Micawber

#175440 Wed, 28 Dec 05 08:16 AM

The proverb in #1 is an old one, probably referring to the Aesop's fable of the Tortoise and the Hare. There is evidently an early reference in a 1762 poem by Robert Lloyd. Its age may rationalize its grammar.

PS: It's usually 'slow and steady wins the race'.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (21,223)

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

Grammar, Verbs