16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardLogical comparison

Standard English Conventions practice question

The company's profits last year were higher than ____.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. those of its competitorsCorrect
  2. B. its competitors
  3. C. the competitors were
  4. D. of its competitors

Answer: A. those of its competitors

A comparison must set like against like. Profits are compared with profits, so 'those of its competitors' — meaning the competitors' profits — is needed.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. its competitors
This compares the company's profits with its competitors themselves — companies, not profits.
C. the competitors were
'the competitors were' compares profits with what the competitors WERE, which makes no sense.
D. of its competitors
'of its competitors' has nothing for the 'of' to attach to; it needs 'those'.

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