A sentence using comparative

[irmamar]

I have this sentence:

World War II had a greater impact than the Great Depression on the future of American life.

But I'm thinking that this sentence could change into:

World War II had a greater impact on the future of American life than the Great Depression.

What do you think?

Thanks.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

I have this sentence:

World War II had a greater impact than the Great Depression on the future of American life.

But I'm thinking that this sentence could change into:

World War II had a greater impact on the future of American life than the Great Depression.

What do you think?

Thanks.

Your original sentence is absolutely correct. Your alternative suggestion could also be correct, but open to ambiguity because you don't know whether the Great Depression is subject or object. It could mean the same as the first sentence, but it could also mean:

World War II had a greater impact on the future of American life than the impact it had on the Great Depression.

This makes grammatical sense, but not historical sense. In order to avoid the ambiguity, your suggested alternative should read

World War II had a greater impact on the future of American life than the Great Depression had.

[irmamar]

Oh, OK. I understand it. Thanks.

[Cloudgazer]

Both of your sentences come across the same to me.

To express what Perikles suggests as a possible alternative meaning for the second sentence, regardless of historical accuracy, I think it would have to be written:

World War II had a greater impact on the future of American life than on the Great Depression.