Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[leslie]

Hi,

Which of the following sentences is correct?

1. I noticed the speed being slower than before.
2. I noticed the speed slower than before.

If 1 is correct, what's the use of being here for? Also, is it a natural way to express it? Or, there's other way to express it naturally?

Thanks in advance.

Leslie
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Less Is Blessed

[welkins2139]

I noticed THAT the speed IS slower than before.

" Than " is conjunction here. It is used after a compartive adjective or adverb ( adverb here is slower ) to introduce a clause or phrase.

I think the sentence should be like this.

I notice That the speed Is slower than (it was) before.

[leslie]

Thank you. I was wondering if the sentences I posted are any similar to the pattern as " I found him more interesting than before." Could you elaborate more on this? Thank you again.
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Less Is Blessed

[welkins2139]

Before can be adverb, prepositon, or conjunction.

I think here it is " adverb"

I found him more interesting (then ) than ( I found him ) before.

You are comparing " then " and " before " when you use the conjunction word " than "

[leslie]

Thank you again.

The other day I found the following example sentence in Collins Cobuild English Dictionary. It is in the pattern of "notice+n+ving". I was wondering if my first example sentences in question are fit in this pattern as well? Thank you again.

example sentence from Collins Cobuild :
Mrs. Shedden noticed a bird sitting on the garage roof.
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Less Is Blessed

[welkins2139]

Mrs. Shedden noticed a bird sitting on the garage roof. ( this sentence isnt comparing )




1. I noticed the speed is slower than (it was) before. ( This sentence you are comparing. )

The key word here is " than " In my opinion, ( may be I am wrong ) when you see " than " using as conjucntion, you are comparing one thing to another.