10a. In compound structures

10aAdd words needed to complete compound structures.

In compound structures, words are often left out for economy: Tom is a man who means what he says and [who] says what he means. Such omissions are acceptable as long as the omitted words are common to both parts of the compound structure.

If a sentence defies grammar or idiom because an omitted word is not common to both parts of the compound structure, the simplest solution is to put the word back in.

image

The word who must be included because whom . . . have purchased is not grammatically correct.

image

Has . . . accept is not grammatically correct.

image

Believe . . . by is not idiomatic in English. (For a list of common idioms, see 18d.)

note: Even when the omitted word is common to both parts of the compound structure, occasionally it must be inserted to avoid ambiguity.

My favorite professor and mentor influenced my choice of a career. [Professor and mentor are the same person.]

My favorite professor and my mentor influenced my choice of a career. [Professor and mentor are two different people; my must be repeated.]