Stacey Koprince wrote:The previous poster has done a good job already! The first one isn't an instance of an elliptical clause. Rather, the correct answer introduces a new noun that refers to a concept discussed in the first part of the sentence: "the figure" = "mortgage payments as a percentage of an average 30-year-old male's income."
I'm curious about the source of the second one. We're making a comparison ("as difficult as") so we both have to compare apples to apples and we have to do so in parallel form. Stuff in [brackets] indicates stuff we're elliding / omitting.
It is as difficult (to do X) as it is [difficult] (to do Y).
We could use an ellipsis here:
It is as difficult to sing as it is [difficult] to fly.
Note that what you're picking up is one phrase or clause from start to finish; we're not supposed to jump over words. eg, we would NOT say "it is as difficult (to do X) as [it is difficult] to fly" because we're skipping over the "as" - in the first part, is says "it is AS difficult" not simply "it is difficult." We should literally be able to pick up a word or several contiguous words and drop them into the omitted place.
We also have to make sure that the two things make sense to compare and also that they are parallel. In the given problem, there are multiple ways this could happen. For example:
It is as difficult to prevent crimes against X as it is [difficult to prevent crimes] against Y.
It is as difficult to prevent crimes against X as it is [difficult] to prevent crimes against Y.
A gives us: It is as difficult to prevent crimes against X as [difficult to prevent] crimes that are against Y. Not parallel. (Can't stick in the "it is" before the 2nd "difficult" because we'd need to use the whole "it is as...")
B: It is as difficult to prevent crimes against X as [difficult to prevent] crimes against Y. Not parallel.
C: It is as difficult to prevent crimes against X as it is [difficult to prevent crimes] against Y. Hmm. Sounds a bit awkward because we are carrying 4 words - that's quite a lot - but best answer so far.
D: It is as difficult to prevent crimes aginst X as preventing crimes against Y. Not parallel.
E: It is as difficult to prevent crimes against X as it is [difficult] to prevent crimes against Y. Parallel. Clear. Only one word carried.
If I had to choose between C and E, I'd choose E. But I'm not super happy with the quality of this particular question in general. Do you know the source?
Hi Stacey,
Thanks very much for the detailed explanation.The source of the question if 1000SC. The answer is E.
Based on the explanation , I understand that when we typically choose the answer with ellipsis we do that based on elimination and mostly the other answers would suffer from some other kind of error.
For the second question "you would choose less elliptical statement over brevity. Since you are not happy with the quality let me just ignore that question. Well its actually these kind of questions that cause lot of confusion.
Are there any rules for elliptical clauses? Can you help us with some common observations on elliptical clauses you would have seen over years of your experience ?
