Writing Lab

1. Writing Lab Comparisons: Omission of as, other, any, and else

2. Comparisons with as . . . as • Do not omit as when making a point of equal or superior comparison—as . . . as. • Example: This brand of coffee is as good or better than the other brand. • Correct: This brand of coffee is as good as or better than the other brand. • Tip: ignore the “or better than” when proofreading; while “as good or better than the other brand” may sound correct, “as good the other brand” clearly needs the second “as.”

3. Comparisons with other • Do not omit other when comparing one thing or person with a group of which it/he/she is a part. • Example: Melanie cooks better than any person I know. • Correct: Melanie cooks better than any other person I know. • Without the other, Melanie cooks better than any person including herself. Avoid the paradox!

4. Comparisons with else • Do not omit else when comparing one thing or person with a group of which it/he/she is a part. • Example: James is taller than anyone in his class. • Correct: James is taller than anyone else in his class. • James is a member of his class. Can he be taller than himself?

5. Another option . . . • Using the superlative is also an acceptable way to correct these types of sentences. • Correct: James is taller than anyone else in his class. • Also correct: James is the tallest boy in his class. • Correct: Melanie cooks better than any other person I know. • Also correct: Melanie is the best cook I know. • See our other comparisons lessons for more information about the superlative degree.

6. That’s all, folks! • This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series • Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon • To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson