Ellipsis in comparative clauses

Omit recoverable material after than and as while retaining the auxiliary or complement needed for clarity.

When do we use it?

Use comparative ellipsis without case, agreement or ambiguity errors.

Form

Retain an auxiliary when it carries contrast; omit repeated complements only when recoverable.

• She understood more than I did.
• The task was harder than expected.
• There were fewer errors than before.

Key contrast

At C2, grammar is a resource for controlling perspective, density, rhythm and register, not merely avoiding error.

Common mistakes

• She understood more than I. → She understood more than I did.
• It was harder as expected. → It was harder than expected.

Remember

Omit recoverable material after than and as while retaining the auxiliary or complement needed for clarity.

Quick check

• Identify the information focus and logical relationship.
• Check auxiliary order, reference and complement pattern.
• Choose the option that is idiomatic in the intended register.