ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: preventable deaths

New2grammar — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:43:53 GMT

Thanks MH. I think I understand what you're saying.

In parallel construction, strictly speaking, a verb at the end is needed.
For example

He can run faster than I [can].

Similarly, in the example of cigarettes, you recommend to include the verb 'do' right?

Re: preventable deaths

Marius Hancu — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:50:58 GMT

combined is passive

do combine is active, as it contains an active verb

cigarettes still account for more preventable deaths than those do combined

is better in terms of parallel construction. I won't explain that, sorry.

Re: preventable deaths

New2grammar — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:52:11 GMT

Regarding #3, why in some contexts, 'do' is not needed? An example from a google search

YouTube's market share was 50% greater than those 64 sites combined

Re: preventable deaths

Marius Hancu — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:43:11 GMT

With all ... : taking into consideration/account all ...

cigarettes still lead to/produce more preventable deaths than the others

Yes, you have "more" thus a comparison, you need the reference term for comparison.

preventable deaths

New2grammar — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:34:08 GMT

With all the other causes of preventable deaths, alcohol, illegal drugs, AIDS, suicide, transportation accidents, fires, and guns, cigarettes still account for more preventable deaths than those do combined,

3 questions
1. What's the meaning of 'with' in the beginning of the sentence?

2. What's the meaning of "cigarettes still account for more preventable deaths"?

3. "those do combined", Is do mandatory?
Thanks in advance!