Is “the better” a noun phrase in this sentence? How to parse this sentence?
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A sentence from this site reads ungrammatical.
On the sweet side, don’t pass up the walnut coffee cake, which is served warm, the better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze.
Is the better a noun phrase in this sentence? Why is it not better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze as an adverbial? Is the sentence grammatical? What grammar function does the phrase the better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze serve? Is it a modifier to the main clause?
grammar parsing grammatical-roles
asked 2 days ago
L. Moneta
22513
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A sentence from this site reads ungrammatical.
On the sweet side, don’t pass up the walnut coffee cake, which is served warm, the better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze.
Is the better a noun phrase in this sentence? Why is it not better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze as an adverbial? Is the sentence grammatical? What grammar function does the phrase the better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze serve? Is it a modifier to the main clause?
grammar parsing grammatical-roles
asked 2 days ago
L. Moneta
22513
It should be noted that, as used above, it's something of an idiom.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
Well, it is a foodie critique--pared down and highly stylized (e.g. "Hankering for hashbrowns?"). So, in that context, "the better" pared down from the idiom all the better, which is synonymous with the saying so much the better, seems like a pretty good choice of words for a casual restaurant that sells Clyde burgers. It's, dare I say, countrified, not just elliptical. Also, everyone I know purchases eyeglasses for one reason--"The better to see you with, my dear." (US, SE Region). dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/…
– KannE
2 days ago
Look here: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/the+better+to HTH.
– Kris
2 days ago
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
A sentence from this site reads ungrammatical.
On the sweet side, don’t pass up the walnut coffee cake, which is served warm, the better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze.
Is the better a noun phrase in this sentence? Why is it not better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze as an adverbial? Is the sentence grammatical? What grammar function does the phrase the better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze serve? Is it a modifier to the main clause?
grammar parsing grammatical-roles
asked 2 days ago
L. Moneta
22513
A sentence from this site reads ungrammatical.
On the sweet side, don’t pass up the walnut coffee cake, which is served warm, the better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze.
Is the better a noun phrase in this sentence? Why is it not better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze as an adverbial? Is the sentence grammatical? What grammar function does the phrase the better to soak up the bourbon-caramel glaze serve? Is it a modifier to the main clause?
grammar parsing grammatical-roles
grammar parsing grammatical-roles
asked 2 days ago
L. Moneta
22513
asked 2 days ago
L. Moneta
22513
asked 2 days ago
L. Moneta
22513
asked 2 days ago
L. Moneta
22513
asked 2 days ago
L. Moneta
22513
22513
It should be noted that, as used above, it's something of an idiom.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
Well, it is a foodie critique--pared down and highly stylized (e.g. "Hankering for hashbrowns?"). So, in that context, "the better" pared down from the idiom all the better, which is synonymous with the saying so much the better, seems like a pretty good choice of words for a casual restaurant that sells Clyde burgers. It's, dare I say, countrified, not just elliptical. Also, everyone I know purchases eyeglasses for one reason--"The better to see you with, my dear." (US, SE Region). dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/…
– KannE
2 days ago
Look here: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/the+better+to HTH.
– Kris
2 days ago
add a comment |
It should be noted that, as used above, it's something of an idiom.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
Well, it is a foodie critique--pared down and highly stylized (e.g. "Hankering for hashbrowns?"). So, in that context, "the better" pared down from the idiom all the better, which is synonymous with the saying so much the better, seems like a pretty good choice of words for a casual restaurant that sells Clyde burgers. It's, dare I say, countrified, not just elliptical. Also, everyone I know purchases eyeglasses for one reason--"The better to see you with, my dear." (US, SE Region). dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/…
– KannE
2 days ago
Look here: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/the+better+to HTH.
– Kris
2 days ago
It should be noted that, as used above, it's something of an idiom.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
It should be noted that, as used above, it's something of an idiom.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
Well, it is a foodie critique--pared down and highly stylized (e.g. "Hankering for hashbrowns?"). So, in that context, "the better" pared down from the idiom all the better, which is synonymous with the saying so much the better, seems like a pretty good choice of words for a casual restaurant that sells Clyde burgers. It's, dare I say, countrified, not just elliptical. Also, everyone I know purchases eyeglasses for one reason--"The better to see you with, my dear." (US, SE Region). dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/…
– KannE
2 days ago
Well, it is a foodie critique--pared down and highly stylized (e.g. "Hankering for hashbrowns?"). So, in that context, "the better" pared down from the idiom all the better, which is synonymous with the saying so much the better, seems like a pretty good choice of words for a casual restaurant that sells Clyde burgers. It's, dare I say, countrified, not just elliptical. Also, everyone I know purchases eyeglasses for one reason--"The better to see you with, my dear." (US, SE Region). dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/…
– KannE
2 days ago
Look here: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/the+better+to HTH.
– Kris
2 days ago
Look here: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/the+better+to HTH.
– Kris
2 days ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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up vote
1
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It's the same use as in Little Red Riding Hood, when the wolf says, "The better to eat you with." I'm not entirely certain about the grammar, but I think that the 'the' is being used as an adverb to emphasize 'better'. From Merriam-Webster:
the, adverb
1 : than before : than otherwise —used before a comparative, e.g.
none the wiser for attending
2a : to what extent, e.g.
the sooner the better
b : to that extent, e.g.
the sooner the better
3 : beyond all others, e.g.
likes this the best
I think that the use in the article is that of the first definition.
answered 2 days ago
eenbeetje
1055
add a comment |
up vote
-1
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The phrase "the better" modifies the state of being warm. It is a comparison of utility of two opposites, warmth contrasted against coolness, by linking the state with more or less efficiency of soaking up the glaze.
...which is served warm [as opposed to cool], the better [of the two temperatures] to soak up...
See this definition as "more suitable to".
answered 2 days ago
William McGrew
622
New contributor
William McGrew is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
It's the same use as in Little Red Riding Hood, when the wolf says, "The better to eat you with." I'm not entirely certain about the grammar, but I think that the 'the' is being used as an adverb to emphasize 'better'. From Merriam-Webster:
the, adverb
1 : than before : than otherwise —used before a comparative, e.g.
none the wiser for attending
2a : to what extent, e.g.
the sooner the better
b : to that extent, e.g.
the sooner the better
3 : beyond all others, e.g.
likes this the best
I think that the use in the article is that of the first definition.
answered 2 days ago
eenbeetje
1055
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
It's the same use as in Little Red Riding Hood, when the wolf says, "The better to eat you with." I'm not entirely certain about the grammar, but I think that the 'the' is being used as an adverb to emphasize 'better'. From Merriam-Webster:
the, adverb
1 : than before : than otherwise —used before a comparative, e.g.
none the wiser for attending
2a : to what extent, e.g.
the sooner the better
b : to that extent, e.g.
the sooner the better
3 : beyond all others, e.g.
likes this the best
I think that the use in the article is that of the first definition.
answered 2 days ago
eenbeetje
1055
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
It's the same use as in Little Red Riding Hood, when the wolf says, "The better to eat you with." I'm not entirely certain about the grammar, but I think that the 'the' is being used as an adverb to emphasize 'better'. From Merriam-Webster:
the, adverb
1 : than before : than otherwise —used before a comparative, e.g.
none the wiser for attending
2a : to what extent, e.g.
the sooner the better
b : to that extent, e.g.
the sooner the better
3 : beyond all others, e.g.
likes this the best
I think that the use in the article is that of the first definition.
answered 2 days ago
eenbeetje
1055
It's the same use as in Little Red Riding Hood, when the wolf says, "The better to eat you with." I'm not entirely certain about the grammar, but I think that the 'the' is being used as an adverb to emphasize 'better'. From Merriam-Webster:
the, adverb
1 : than before : than otherwise —used before a comparative, e.g.
none the wiser for attending
2a : to what extent, e.g.
the sooner the better
b : to that extent, e.g.
the sooner the better
3 : beyond all others, e.g.
likes this the best
I think that the use in the article is that of the first definition.
answered 2 days ago
eenbeetje
1055
answered 2 days ago
eenbeetje
1055
answered 2 days ago
eenbeetje
1055
answered 2 days ago
eenbeetje
1055
1055
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
The phrase "the better" modifies the state of being warm. It is a comparison of utility of two opposites, warmth contrasted against coolness, by linking the state with more or less efficiency of soaking up the glaze.
...which is served warm [as opposed to cool], the better [of the two temperatures] to soak up...
See this definition as "more suitable to".
answered 2 days ago
William McGrew
622
New contributor
William McGrew is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
The phrase "the better" modifies the state of being warm. It is a comparison of utility of two opposites, warmth contrasted against coolness, by linking the state with more or less efficiency of soaking up the glaze.
...which is served warm [as opposed to cool], the better [of the two temperatures] to soak up...
See this definition as "more suitable to".
answered 2 days ago
William McGrew
622
New contributor
William McGrew is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
The phrase "the better" modifies the state of being warm. It is a comparison of utility of two opposites, warmth contrasted against coolness, by linking the state with more or less efficiency of soaking up the glaze.
...which is served warm [as opposed to cool], the better [of the two temperatures] to soak up...
See this definition as "more suitable to".
answered 2 days ago
William McGrew
622
New contributor
William McGrew is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The phrase "the better" modifies the state of being warm. It is a comparison of utility of two opposites, warmth contrasted against coolness, by linking the state with more or less efficiency of soaking up the glaze.
...which is served warm [as opposed to cool], the better [of the two temperatures] to soak up...
See this definition as "more suitable to".
answered 2 days ago
William McGrew
622
New contributor
William McGrew is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
William McGrew
622
New contributor
William McGrew is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
William McGrew
622
answered 2 days ago
William McGrew
622
622
New contributor
William McGrew is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
William McGrew is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
William McGrew is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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It should be noted that, as used above, it's something of an idiom.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
Well, it is a foodie critique--pared down and highly stylized (e.g. "Hankering for hashbrowns?"). So, in that context, "the better" pared down from the idiom all the better, which is synonymous with the saying so much the better, seems like a pretty good choice of words for a casual restaurant that sells Clyde burgers. It's, dare I say, countrified, not just elliptical. Also, everyone I know purchases eyeglasses for one reason--"The better to see you with, my dear." (US, SE Region). dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/…
– KannE
2 days ago
Look here: idioms.thefreedictionary.com/the+better+to HTH.
– Kris
2 days ago