Student Question

How would you correct the incorrect omission in the following sentences?

  1. Women on the whole understand children better than men.
  2. Johnny never has and never will study his geometry.
  3. A liberal arts background is excellent for such professions as lawyers and doctors.

Expert Answers

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"Incorrect omissions" simply refer to the absence of words that clarify the intent of the sentence.  Statement #1, for example, is rather elementary, as it could be construed as suggesting that women know more about children than they know about men.  The intention of the statement, however, is very different: women know more about children than men know about children.  Women are more knowledgeable than men on that topic is what the statement intends to convey.  I have added the words "understand children" at the end of statement #1, therefore, to clarify its meaning.  Similarly, statement #2 can lead to a misunderstanding if it is interpreted as suggesting that Johnny "never has" something other than study geometry.  Unlike statement #1, statement #2 would be unlikely to lead to confusion, however, as the article is clear in its intent.  What follows are suggested corrections to each of the three statements:

1. Women, on the whole, understand children better than men understand children.

2. Johnny has never studied his geometry and never will study his geometry.

3. A liberal arts background is excellent for many professions including those of lawyers and doctors.

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