EnglishClub ESL Forums

Hi,

Could you please help us complete the paradigm? Now I'm wondering what can work as a paraphrase of (1).

(1) Some are as small as your thumb and others no bigger than your hand.

I'm assuming both (2) and (3) work but not (4).

(2) Some are as small as your thumb and others as big as your hand.
(3) Some are as small as your thumb and others the size of your hand.
(4) *Some are as small as your thumb and others as small as your hand.

Do you agree?

Thank you in advance
SMYOGA

(1) is based on this:
SIZE AT BIRTH: Some are as small as your thumb and others no bigger than your hand.
(E. Kimble and L. Kimble, Baby Animals Dot-to-Dot)
And the size here refers to that of baby bats.

I don't think there's anything technically wrong with four, although it does sound a bit awkward. Two and three or more aesthetically pleasing.

TheStephen wrote:I don't think there's anything technically wrong with four, although it does sound a bit awkward. Two and three or more aesthetically pleasing.

I'd meant to say "are more."