ellipsis in comparison doubt

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ellipsis in comparison doubt

by aflaam » Sat Feb 13, 2016 4:20 pm
Though certain breeds of dog are renowned for their sense of smell, there is often a greater difference in scenting ability between two members of a single breed as there is between members of different breeds.
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(A) is often a greater difference in scenting ability between two members of a single breed as there is
(B) is often more difference in scenting ability between two members of a single breed as to find one
(C) is often a greater difference in scenting ability between two members of a single breed than
(D) are often greater differences in scenting ability between two members of a single breed as there are
(E) are often greater differences in scenting ability between two members of a single breed than there is
OA is C
IS E incorrect because
1) it should be abilities --> differences in abilities (logical agreement)
2) ommitted word in E is difference but it appears nowhere in the sentence and thus cannot be dropped
Appreciate help
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by fabiocafarelli » Sun Feb 14, 2016 1:15 am
1. Eliminate options A, B, and D because of greater ... as and more ... as. in these three cases AS should be THAN.
2. Eliminate E because greater differences ... than there is should be greater differences than there are - and even then, a greater difference would be preferable, because the sentence is talking about one difference in a certain ability between members of a breed or breeds.
3. Option C is correct because it resolves the above problems. There is an ellipsis of THERE IS after THAN: an ellipsis at this point is common in good writing, because the repetition of the verb would do nothing to clarify the meaning of the sentence, and its absence does not make the sentence in any way unclear, grammatically incorrect, or illogical.

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