SC 4th Edition Ch8 In Action #14

[lfung425]

Hugo is widely acknowledged to be our best employee, because he works harder and more creatively than anyone else in the company.

Can somebody please explain to me why the sentence is correct? I would assume that in the second half of the sentence, the supurlative for "works harder" and "more creatively" should be used since these attributes of Hugo are being compared to everyone else's in the company. Thanks.

[amrinder.bahl]

Hugo works harder than anyone -compares Hugo's hard work to anyone
Hugo works harder than anyone does-compares Hugo's work with anyone else's work .Does is reqd.

Hugo is widely acknowledged to be our best employee, because he works harder and more creatively than anyone else in the company.

Can somebody please explain to me why the sentence is correct? I would assume that in the second half of the sentence, the supurlative for "works harder" and "more creatively" should be used since these attributes of Hugo are being compared to everyone else's in the company. Thanks.

[lfung425]

Thanks. I understand that point, but why would the second half not be "because he is the hardest worker and the most creative in the company." If he is being compared to "anyone", which is presumably more than 1 other person, the superlative should be used right?

[esledge]

Yes, I see what you are saying, lfung425.

Actually, either way is correct.

Hugo is widely acknowledged to be our best employee, because he works harder and more creatively than anyone else in the company.
(This works because we are essentially thinking of Hugo vs. everyone else (as a singular group) or Hugo vs. any one other employee.)

Hugo is widely acknowledged to be our best employee, because he is the hardest worker and the most creative in the company.
(This works because we are essentially thinking of the many employees of the company, and singling out Hugo for superlative praise.)