The professor was more lenient towards the undergrads than the other students.

Question

The professor was more lenient towards the undergrads than the other students.I doubt about underlined part. Doesn't it require "to" or "towards" before "the other"?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Kolridg
The professor was more lenient towards the undergrads than the other students.
~~I doubt~~ I'm not sure about the underlined part. Doesn't it require ~~"to" or~~ "towards" before "the other"?

Yes, it does, if that's the intended meaning. Otherwise it's an open question whether 'the other students' is a subject like 'the professor' is

The professor was more lenient towards the undergrads than the other students were.

or the object of the preposition 'towards' like 'the undergrads' is

The professor was more lenient towards the undergrads than towards the other students.

The first interpretation is less likely because it suggests that maybe the professor is another student, but it's best to avoid ambiguity by specifying everything that needs to be specified for clarity.

CJ

The professor was more lenient towards the undergrads than the other students.

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