On the use of word "similar"

Question

I am thinking to express the meaning of "My perspective on the issue A is similar to Alexia's perspective on issue B" in other different ways. I have a few questions.

I wanted to use a structure like: "I have a similar perspective on issue A to Alexia's on issue B". How can I make this sentence grammatically correct?

Can I simplify my original sentence to "My perspective on issue A is similar to Alexia's one on issue B" or  "My perspective on issue A is similar to Alexia's on issue B".

If Alexia = me, meaning, I wanted to just say "My perspective on issue A is similar to my perspective on issue B". Can I use some kind of conjunction reduction here? For example, would "My perspective on issue A is similar to on issue B" correct? Would "My perspective on issue A is similar to issue B" be correct?

(EDITED) Along the same line, can I simplify the sentence "The perspective of the university is similar to the perspective of the government" in some way? Can I say "The perspective of the university is similar to the government" or "The perspective of the university is similar to that of the government"

I am generally confused about the use of the word similar and the resulting issues about whether I can delete any part for simplicity.

Jeff Morrow · Answer

Let's start with the meaning. Everything is dependent on intended meaning.

My perspective on purveyance is similar to Gardiner's perspective on wardship

is perfectly good English grammar. It is comparing two things of the same kind, namely an opinion about an issue in English history.

My perspective on purveyance is similar to Gardiner's on wardship

is a perfect example of ellipsis. I have dropped the noun "perspective," but the possessive implies the missing noun.

My perspective on purveyance is similar to Gardiner on wardship

is an error in my opinion. Descriptive grammarians may say that it is not a grammatical error because people frequently do say things like that. But it is liable to cause the reader at least temporary confusion because perspective on an issue is a completely different kind of thing from a human being: a perspective has no nose, no sense of smell, no sense of humor. There can be no meaningful similarity between an opinion and a person. The fact that people can figure out the intended meaning says more for their common sense than for the felicity of the phrasing.
You can of course say grammatically and understandably

My view on purveyance is similar to my view on wardship

It is grammatical and understandable, but it is more concise and at least as clear to say

My views on purveyance and wardship are similar.

On the use of word "similar"

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question